Graz blood bank says it is prepared for cyberattacks

The blood bank at Graz University Hospital says it is well prepared for cyberattacks on its cooling systems, ORF reports. Cybersecurity experts say the risk of such attacks is also real in Styria.

The University Clinic for Blood Group Serology and Transfusion Medicine at Graz University Hospital, the main provider of stored blood products in Styria, says its network traffic is monitored continuously. “The entire network traffic between KAGes and the internet is monitored continuously by experts,” said Markus Pedevilla, head of technology and IT at KAGes.

Several European supermarkets have suffered attacks on cooling systems in recent weeks, resulting in thousands of tonnes of spoiled food. On Monday, cooling systems at blood banks in France were also hacked. Existing safeguards prevented damage to the stored blood units.

Some of the attacks reportedly exploited devices that still used their default passwords. Systems that manufacturers can access remotely for maintenance or warranty work may also be vulnerable. Daniel Gruss, a cybersecurity professor at Graz University of Technology, said an attack could not be ruled out in Styria. “The question is only to what extent and when.”

Internet-connected household devices, from robot vacuum cleaners to electric blinds, can also be vulnerable. Gruss advised people to keep as few devices as possible accessible over the internet and to disable that access when it is not needed.