NHS Dumfries and Galloway has announced it has been the target of a “focused and ongoing cyber attack”.

The health board said it is working with Police Scotland, the National Cyber Security Centre and the Scottish government to tackle the breach on its systems.

It has warned hackers could have been able to “acquire a significant quantity of data” and has advised there may be some disruption to services as a result of the incident.

Cyber security agencies are currently working to establish what data may have been accessed, but the health board said it has reason to believe it could include “patient-identifiable and staff-identifiable data”.

NHS Dumfries and Galloway said in a statement: “Breach of confidential data is an incredibly serious matter.

“We are encouraging everyone, staff and public, to be on their guard for any attempt to access their systems or approaches from anyone claiming to be in possession of data relating to them.

“In any of these situations, contact Police Scotland immediately by phoning 101.”

Lockbit ransomware gang’s origins, tactics and past targets – and what next after policing breakthrough

Notorious cyber crime gang Lockbit disrupted by NCA, FBI and international coalition

FBI disrupts hacking network ‘linked to Russian intelligence services’

Read more from Sky News:
What we know about the Lockbit cyber crime gang
Britons must ‘strengthen defences against AI-assisted ransomware’

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

The health board has set up a dedicated webpage in regards to the attack.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Enquiries are continuing into a cyber attack on NHS Dumfries and Galloway.”

Health secretary Neil Gray said the Scottish government is offering support to the board.

He said: “There are well established procedures for dealing with a situation of this kind.

“We are providing assistance and support to NHS Dumfries and Galloway as they handle this incident, and NHS NSS (National Services Scotland) is engaging with the rest of NHS Scotland and providing updates as necessary.”

Related posts:

Intended target of botched drive-by shooting which killed law student fears for his life Military spies investigate alleged Afghanistan veteran’s suicide note ‘Stop lying’ and ‘come clean’ Starmer tells Johnson over latest No 10 ‘boozy shindig’ claims Armed stand-off talks enter third day as father remains inside house with eight-year-old son ‘I will kill myself’ before I’m sent to Rwanda, says Channel migrant The story of the extradited British businessman and others the US has aggressively pursued The King and his heirs: Charles pictured with Princes William and George in new portrait Car dealer jailed for ‘clocking’ 2,750,000 miles from 32 vehicles Metro Bank plots capital-raise in bid to allay City concerns Parts of UK could be hotter than Ibiza and Barcelona this weekend Man to stand trial over attempted murder of woman in Aberfan Man wanted over chemical attack named – as police say he has injuries to his face