The Ministry of Health of Tonga suffered a ransomware attack on its National Health Information System, which records and registers patients, including their medical records, prescriptions, health risks, and future plans. The attack, discovered on June 15, demanded millions in ransom to restore the system. Cybersecurity experts from Australia were called in to help resolve the issue. The attack has caused significant disruption, with the Ministry urging residents to bring prescription cards as doctors cannot access medical records. The Ministry's website remains down, affecting the organization's ability to function normally.
Source: https://therecord.media/tonga-ministry-of-health-hit-with-cyberattack?&web_view=true
TPRM report: https://scoringcyber.rankiteo.com/company/ministry-of-health-tonga
"id": "min600062125",
"linkid": "ministry-of-health-tonga",
"type": "Ransomware",
"date": "6/2025",
"severity": "100",
"impact": "",
"explanation": "Attack threatening the organization’s existence"{'affected_entities': [{'customers_affected': 'Residents of Tonga',
'industry': 'Healthcare',
'location': 'Tonga',
'name': 'Ministry of Health, Tonga',
'size': 'National',
'type': 'Government'}],
'customer_advisories': 'Bring prescription cards to hospitals',
'data_breach': {'sensitivity_of_data': 'High',
'type_of_data_compromised': 'Medical records, prescriptions, '
'health risks, future plans'},
'date_detected': '2023-06-15',
'date_publicly_disclosed': '2023-06-14',
'description': 'Tonga’s top health official warned the island country’s '
'residents that a ransomware attack has taken down its '
'National Health Information System.',
'impact': {'data_compromised': 'Patient medical records, prescriptions, '
'health risks, and future plans',
'downtime': 'Ongoing as of Friday afternoon',
'operational_impact': 'Disruption of hospital operations, '
'including ordering pills',
'systems_affected': 'National Health Information System, Ministry '
'of Health website, and other tools'},
'investigation_status': 'Ongoing with assistance from Australian '
'cybersecurity experts',
'motivation': 'Financial Gain',
'ransomware': {'ransom_demanded': 'Millions'},
'references': [{'source': 'Local news outlet Matangi Tonga'}],
'response': {'communication_strategy': 'Public statements and press '
'conferences',
'third_party_assistance': 'Cybersecurity experts from Australia'},
'title': "Ransomware Attack on Tonga's National Health Information System",
'type': 'Ransomware Attack'}