Health ministry suffers cybersecurity breach, but patient services not affected

 The ministry said there was unauthorised access to a supporting file storage and sharing platform at one of its facilities.

The health ministry warned the public against downloading, possessing or distributing official government documents obtained unlawfully.

PETALING JAYA:

A cybersecurity breach affected a health ministry facility on Thursday but it did not compromise the main operational systems or disrupt healthcare services, the ministry said today.

The incident was limited to unauthorised access to a file storage and sharing platform at one of the ministry’s facilities, and did not involve its main databases. The ministry did not state which facility was affected.

Public access to the platform was immediately blocked, the ministry said. Additional security measures have been introduced, including resetting user passwords, auditing servers and enforcing multi-factor authentication.

“All of the ministry’s major operational systems, as well as healthcare services and patient treatment, remain unaffected and are operating as usual. Members of the public may continue with their healthcare appointments and treatment at health ministry facilities without concern,” it said.

The ministry warned the public against downloading, possessing or distributing official government documents obtained unlawfully, which was a serious offence that could result in legal action.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia faces thousands of attempted cyberattacks monthly, making it necessary to bolster the armed forces’ cyber defences. He said the government had discussed strengthening the military’s cybersecurity unit to counter increasingly sophisticated threats. - FMT