New York Blood Center cancels drives during shortage after cyberattack
The New York Blood Center, one of the country’s largest nonprofit blood donation and distribution centers, has canceled blood drives after a cyberattack.
The New York Blood Center, one of the country’s largest nonprofit blood donation and distribution centers, has canceled appointments and blood drives after a cyberattack.
In a statement posted to its website Wednesday, the blood center said hackers attacked it with ransomware Sunday, significantly reducing its operations.
The group is still accepting blood donations, but is cautioning donors to expect longer wait times. It has no estimated timetable for fully restoring its operations.
Independent blood suppliers like the blood center, the largest in the New York City area, provide 60% of the U.S. blood supply, according to America’s Blood Centers, a nonprofit that represents blood donation centers across the country.
Ransomware is a type of cybercrime in which cybercriminals lock up an organization’s computer networks and demand a payment in bitcoin for a code or program to make them usable again.
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