Pro-Iranian Hackers Claim Credit for Stryker Cyberattack

Stryker, a provider of medical technology, including solutions for EMS, announced March 11 it was the victim of a cyberattack. At the time, the company said the attack had created a disruption to its Microsoft environments.

The hacker group, Handala, which is backed by the Iranian government, posted on social media claiming credit for the attack. The group said the attack was in retaliation for a U.S. bombing on an elementary school. The U.S. intelligence community warned of potential cyberattacks this week, according to CNN.

CNN reported that the Maryland’s Institute for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems told hospitals in the state that Stryker’s Lifenet electrocardiogram transmission system was down. The agency recommended EMS clinicians initiate radio consultation with hospitals until service is restored. The agency added the outage shouldn’t affect EMS’ ability to provide patient care.

As of March 12, Stryker said in a statement on their website that the attack was contained to their internal Microsoft environment. The company said there was no malware or ransomware found in its systems, however the hack did disrupt the company’s global network. It said products like Mako, Vocera, and LIFEPAK35 are safe to use.

“We have visibility to the orders entered before the event, and they will be shipped as soon as our system communications are restored,” the statement read. Any orders that have come in after the event are being examined.”

“It is safe to communicate with Stryker employees and sales representatives by email and phone, and within your facility,” the company said.