Ireland’s national health service has shut down its IT systems following a “human-operated” Conti ransomware attack, causing a Dublin hospital to cancel outpatient appointments. The news came to light via Twitter:
CNBC has more details:
The Irish Health Service Executive said there was a “significant ransomware attack” on its IT systems, without commenting further on specifics.
And:
Ireland’s vaccination program has not been affected and appointments will go ahead as planned, but the registration portal has been taken offline. Doctors also can’t refer people for Covid-19 tests, so patients have been told to use walk-in testing centers. HSE said its ambulance service was operating normally.
Dublin’s Rotunda Hospital, a maternity hospital, said all outpatient visits for Friday have been canceled, except for women who are 36 weeks pregnant or later. All gynecology clinics are canceled.
And this attack is described as “very sophisticated” as described by Paul Reid HSE chief exec:
Ransomware attacks on healthcare environments are becoming more of a preference for the criminal gangs that do these attacks because it is perceived that healthcare environments are more likely to pay up. Which means while everyone needs to up their game when it comes to cybersecurity, healthcare environments need to do even more as this one appears to hurt.
Fisker + Foxconn Come To Agreement For U.S. Manufacturing Of New Electric Vehicle From Q4 2023
Posted in Commentary with tags Fisker on May 14, 2021 by itnerdFisker Inc. passionate creator of the world’s most sustainable electric vehicles and advanced mobility solutions – today announced it has signed framework agreements with Hon Hai Technology Group supporting joint development and manufacturing related to Project ‘PEAR’ (Personal Electric Automotive Revolution), a program to develop a new breakthrough electric vehicle.
Under the agreements, Fisker and Foxconn will jointly invest into Project PEAR, with each company taking proceeds from the successful delivery of the program. Fisker will work with Foxconn on a new lightweight platform designated ‘FP28,’ leveraging technological expertise from each company to support Project PEAR and potential future vehicles.
In support of the work on Project PEAR, the two companies have established a co-located program management office between the U.S. and Taiwan to coordinate design, engineering, purchasing, and manufacturing operations. Following an extensive review of potential U.S. manufacturing sites, the two companies will expedite a manufacturing plan capable of supporting the projected Q4 2023 start of production. Fisker intends to start production in Europe on its first vehicle, the Ocean electric SUV, in Q4 2022 and will unveil a production-intent prototype of the vehicle at the Los Angeles Auto Show® later this year. Project PEAR will be the company’s second production model.
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