An NHS software program supplier has been fined £3m by the Data Commissioner’s Workplace (ICO) over safety failings that led to a ransomware assault on the NHS.
The Superior Pc Software program Group was fined for a breach that put private info of 79,404 folks in danger, the UK’s knowledge safety watchdog stated.
The agency offers IT and software program companies to organisations across the nation, together with the NHS and different well being suppliers, dealing with info in its function as an information processor.
The breach took place in August 2022, when hackers gained entry to sufferers’ cellphone numbers and medical data in addition to particulars of easy methods to achieve entry to the properties of 890 folks receiving care at dwelling.
The unidentified hackers had been in a position to achieve entry to the data by utilizing a buyer’s account that didn’t have adequate safety within the type of multi-factor authentication.
The regulator’s investigation concluded that Superior didn’t have applicable safety measures in place previous to the incident.
The cyberattack led to the disruption of important companies together with NHS 111, and left some healthcare employees unable to entry affected person data.
Software program used to facilitate affected person check-ins was additionally impacted.
Final yr, the regulator criticised Superior over the incident, which positioned “additional pressure” on a “sector already below strain”.
Whereas the corporate had put in multi-factor authentication throughout a lot of its methods, “the shortage of full protection” was criticised by Data Commissioner John Edwards.
“The safety measures of Superior’s subsidiary fell critically wanting what we might count on from an organisation processing such a big quantity of delicate info,” Mr Edwards stated.
He added the high-quality ought to function a “stark reminder” to organisations to make sure they’ve “sturdy safety measures in place”.
“There is no such thing as a excuse for leaving any a part of your system susceptible,” Mr Edwards added.
Final yr, the ICO introduced it meant to impose a provisional £6m fine on Superior for the breach.
Nonetheless, the watchdog stated the sum had been halved due to the proactive engagement of Superior with police, cyber safety companies and the NHS following the assault.
