Trust admits it is at 'extreme risk' of failing to stop a cyber attack

DESPITE REVEALING IT HAS 'ROBUST' SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE TO PROTECT DIGITAL SYSTEMS...

- By SOPHIE BUSCIMESE

A DERBYSHIRE NHS trust has revealed it is at “extreme risk” of failing to protect its hospitals in the event of a cyber attack.

Board papers released by the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust revealed that a newly-appointed extreme risk review group has given the risk of failing to protect the hospitals from cyber attacks a likelihood score of four out of five.

In the event of a cyber attack, the report said the hospitals would not have sufficient systems and processes in place to provide patient care which would cause them to lose critical information such as patient data, risking financial penalties.

The trust has said that cyber security was placed on the risk register, and will remain there, as part of a “responsible and transparent approach” to managing a risk which is recognised across the entire NHS.

A spokesperson said: “Like the rest of the NHS, we take cyber security extremely seriously and have robust safeguards in place to protect our digital systems, supported by regular staff training and independent testing.

“Our most recent cyber security exercise last year was highly successful, with the next one planned for next month, giving confidence that these measures are working well.

“While we are reassured by this, we are not complacent and continue to treat cyber security as an ongoing priority to ensure our systems remain safe.”