Wednesday☕️

Feb 14, 2024 • 4 min read

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Romanian Healthcare Cyberattack:

Yesterday, Romania faced a severe cyberattack, affecting more than 100 healthcare facilities across the country. The attack, initially hitting 25 hospitals, began at the Pitesti Pediatric Hospital and rapidly expanded to other medical institutions. In a defensive move to prevent further breaches, an additional 79 healthcare facilities temporarily disconnected from the internet.
This cyberattack represents a considerable portion of Romania's healthcare infrastructure, severely impacting service delivery. The cyberattack has underscored the vulnerability of hospitals to such security breaches. Research from Romanian universities reveals the country has a total of 543 hospitals, indicating the significant scale of the impact. The attackers utilized a type of malware known as Phobos ransomware, attributed to Russian-speaking hackers.
This ransomware has been widely circulated among cybercriminals, allowing them to encrypt the victims' data and disrupt their operations. The Romanian National Cyber Security Directorate has advised against paying the ransom, highlighting the global rise in ransomware attacks despite international efforts to combat them. To assist the affected hospitals, Romania's premier cybersecurity firm, Bitdefender, is providing support to mitigate the attack's effects and restore services.

Instacart Layoffs:

Yesterday, Instacart revealed its decision to cut about 250 jobs, which represents 7% of its global workforce, as a strategic move towards company restructuring. The grocery delivery leader made this announcement alongside its earnings report for the fourth quarter. The layoffs, detailed in an SEC filing, are part of an effort to adjust Instacart's team dynamics to better suit its immediate operational needs, strategic focus areas, and potential avenues for growth.
As of June 30, 2023, the company employed 3,486 individuals, per a regulatory disclosure. Additionally, Instacart announced the exit of three high-ranking executives, including the chief technology and operating officers, for personal reasons, with no immediate plans to refill the chief operating officer position. For its fourth quarter, Instacart reported a revenue of $803 million.

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