Well, my mate, it’s high time we had a chinwag about something a little unsavoury that’s been causing a kerfuffle of late. You know, something that’s been shaking things up not only in the healthcare sector but also in cybersecurity. I’m talking about that mischief-maker known as Black Basta. Frightfully alarming, isn’t it? Gone are the days when we only had to worry about the flu virus. Now it’s all ‘zero days’ this and ‘malware’ that.
So, what’s all the fuss about, you ask? Well, Black Basta, our internet ne’er-do-well, has been going after Ascension – the oh-so crucial health system we depend on – and creating all sorts of jiggery-pokery, much to everyone’s chagrin.
I can tell you, the spooks over at the American Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA for short and yes, it’s a mouthful isn’t it?) have been a bit twitchy about all this. Just over the last week, they’ve had their knickers in a twist big time, partially because they found out who was behind the attacks on Ascension. None other than Black Basta, our recalcitrant cyber rogue.
Not one to sit on its hands, CISA wasted no time sending out an alert to everyone who needed it, and even those who didn’t but were half terrified about encountering this sly fox in the cyber jungle. And mind you, it’s not just the CISA bunch. Their chums over at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), along with some top brass from the Department of Health, have been involved in tackling this digital malarkey too.
When you think about it, it really impresses on us just how different this world of ours has become. I mean, once upon a time, our biggest fear was that we might catch a cold from sharing a pint with our mates down at the local. Now, we have these invisible threats to our health systems that cannot be tackled with a hot cup of tea or a cosy duvet.
But don’t worry, we’re not alone in this. CISA – despite its intimidating name – is chuffed to bits about taking on these threats head-on. They’ve got our backs covered. It’s no small job, mind, preserving the security of our health systems from these techy troublemakers, but they’ve got the chops for it.
They’re even championing a new hashtag – #StopRansomware – in an attempt to rally everyone across the pond to join the cause. And why not, after all, any weapon to thwart Black Basta and its ilk is a weapon well used.
So my dear friend, keep your eyes peeled, and your online passwords strong and secure. In this brave new world of ours, even our health systems aren’t off-limits to these digital tricksters. Let’s keep ourselves well-informed and give these miscreants the boot, together. And remember, a sturdy, British spirit always emerges triumphant!
by Parker Bytes
