FBI: Iranian hackers attempted ‘despicable’ cyberattack on Boston Children’s Hospital

BOSTON — A group of Iranian-backed hackers tried to carry out a cyberattack against Boston Children’s Hospital last summer but their attempt was intercepted and stopped, FBI Director Christopher Wray announced Wednesday.

While speaking at the Boston Conference on Cyber Security at Boston College, Wray said, “In the summer of 2021, hackers sponsored by the Iranian government tried to conduct one of the most despicable cyberattacks I’ve seen...They decided to go after Boston Children’s Hospital.”

The FBI learned of the attempted attack after a report from an intelligence partner indicated that the hospital was about to be targeted. Cyber squad members in the FBI Boston field office then raced to notify the hospital and the attack was thwarted, according to Wray.

“Our folks got the hospital’s team the information they needed to stop the danger right away,” Wray explained. “We were able to help them ID and then mitigate the threat. Quick actions by everyone involved, especially at the hospital, protected both the network and the sick kids who depend on it.”

Wray didn’t detail a motive behind the planned attack on the hospital.

He also warned of the malicious behavior that China, Russia, and North Korea continue to exhibit.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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