Ransomeware attack on AIIMS's servers a conspiracy: Union minister
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New Delhi: Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar claimed on Friday that the ransomware attack on the servers of AIIMS Delhi is a conspiracy planned by forces that are significant, PTI reported.
The servers of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, continue to be out of order for the 10th consecutive day after the ransomware attack.
Chandrasekhar said, "It is clearly a conspiracy, and it has been planned by forces that are pretty significant. It is a sophisticated ransomware attack. We will wait for the outcome of CERTin and NIA (National Investigation Agency) before we come to a conclusion on who is behind the ransomware attack."
He said, "This will not be the first ransomware attempt. It will not be the last. It is for these entities like they say in the context of terrorism, you have to be right all the time, and they can be successful only one time, so we have to be on guard. We have to make sure that our systems and processes are safe and secure. Especially in the era of intensifying digitisation of our economy and of our businesses and activities."
In a ransomware attack, cybercriminals lock access to data or a device and promise to unlock it after they are paid the desired ransom.
The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team within the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Delhi cybercrime special cell, Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre, Intelligence Bureau, Central Bureau of Investigation, National Forensic Sciences University, National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre, and National Investigation Agency, etc. are investigating the cyber attack.
Meanwhile, internet services at the AIIMS continued to be blocked as per the recommendations of the investigating agencies.
The investigation agencies have suggested blocking internet services at AIIMS. Patient care services, including outpatient, laboratory, inpatient and emergency, etc., are operating in manual mode.
AIIMS authorities informed on Tuesday that the E-Hospital data had been restored on the servers, and the network is being sanitised before restoring services. However, the restoration process is taking much time due to the volume of data.