Minster Minister Says Its "Distasteful" Some Legal Firms Are Eyeing-Up Cyber Attack Claims.

Hackers have begun leaking some people's private health information online.

The Health Minister believes it’s distasteful that some legal companies are already eyeing up legal claims following last week’s cyber-attack on the HSE.

Stephen Donnelly says a number of health services should be back up and running in a number of days but it will be several weeks before they all resume.

Radiology, oncology and maternity services are among those being prioritised.

Stephen Donnelly is upset legal action is already being considered against the State.

The State could face hundreds of millions in legal claims from victims if the HSE is found to have failed to adequately protect patients' data from the cyber hackhttps://t.co/5UvjQgk2qo | @ciananbrennan, @Elaine_Loughlin and @griffinniamh report

— Irish Examiner (@irishexaminer) May 20, 2021

The Taoiseach says hundreds of experts are working to track down those responsible for the massive cyber attack on the HSE.

Hackers are also said to have begun leaking some people's private health information online.

Barrister, Morgan Shelley, these types of criminals are generally based outside the EU, which makes tracking them down difficult:

A professor of cyber-security says ransomware is here to stay for the feasible future.

Kevin Curran from Ulster University explains why health systems are so valuable to criminals.

The hackers behind the HSE cyber-attack have given the HSE until Monday to pay the ransom.

Bloomberg is reporting the criminals say the 20 million dollar ransom must be paid by then, or more details will be released.

Hackers who targeted Ireland’s health service are threatening to imminently release or sell patient data in an effort to pressure the agency to pay a $20 million ransom https://t.co/iu1M6nb5fD

— Bloomberg (@business) May 19, 2021

It comes as the Health Minister claims some law firms are ‘licking their lips’ at the thoughts of legal claims following the attack.

Stephen Donnelly’s strongly criticised any companies who he believes are eager to sue the State .

Journalist, Stephanie Rohan, has more on the deadline imposed by cyber criminal

The Head of the HSE has warned that the impact of the cyber-attack will be felt for many, many weeks.

It comes as Bloomberg reports that the hackers have given the HSE a deadline of Monday to pay the 20 million dollar ransom.

The attack has resulted in thousands of cancelled appointments, with outpatient activity down by up to 80 per cent per day.

HSE CEO Paul Reid says the response to the attack was immediate and comprehensive.

Communications Minister Eamon Ryan says the government is putting systems in place for people to report if their data has been published:

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