FBI Stops Hacking Attempt on Boston Children’s Hospital

At this year's annual Boston Conference on Cyber Security, held at BC the first week of June, FBI Director Christopher Wray revealed that the FBI was able to stop a planned cyber-attack on Boston Children's Hospital by an Iranian-state-sponsored hacking group.

Director Wray called the attempt "one of the most despicable cyber-attacks I've ever seen," during his keynote address.

Wray continued, describing the events as they unfolded. "We got a report from one of our intelligence partners indicating Boston Children's was about to be targeted and understanding the urgency of the situation," he said, "the cyber squad in our Boston field office reached out to the hospital. Our folks got the hospital team the information they needed to stop the danger."

The attempted hack occurred in June 2021, with the FBI in March saying putting out a notice that hackers supported by the Iranian government had attacked a hospital. This month, they finally were able to disclose that it was indeed Boston Children's Hospital.

"It was truly a reprehensible attempt at an attack," said FBI Boston Special Agent in Charge Joseph Bonavolonta, "when you look at what could have occurred if those systems were shut down."