Software to protect NHS against cyber attacks rolled out after successful trial in Blackpool

IT experts at Blackpool Victoria Hospital played a '˜major role' in helping to develop systems to protect the NHS against cyber attacks, the trust that runs it said.
The Wannacry virus attacked thousands of NHS computers across the country last yearThe Wannacry virus attacked thousands of NHS computers across the country last year
The Wannacry virus attacked thousands of NHS computers across the country last year

It comes after a pilot held there led to NHS Digital penning a new deal with Microsoft to boost protection against computer-based attacks.

The tech giant’s Enterprise Threat Detection Service allows the NHS to give targeted alerts to issues – down to individual computers and other devices – providing a full description of the problem and offering advice.

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Chief information officer at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Steven Bloor, (inset), said: “As part of the pilot we developed processes to deal with the alerts from Microsoft for potential suspicious activities.

“This has been very positive and helps us ensure that our patient data is protected at all times.”

Dan Taylor, director of security at NHS Digital, added: “This deal will further bolster protection against cyber security issues in the NHS.

“It is our role to alert organisations to known cyber security threats and advise them of appropriate steps to minimise risks; this marks a step change in our capability to provide high quality, targeted alerts to allow organisations to counter these threats and ensure patients’ needs continue to be met.”

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NHS computers across the Fylde coast were crippled last year, which an investigation later found was ‘relatively unsophisticated and could have been prevented’.

There were 1,217 computers affected across the Fylde coast – 996 of which were at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.