According to FBI top cop Director Wray, the FBI stopped a cyberattack on a Boston children's hospital that involved a hacker gang that was sponsored by the Iranian government.

The US continues to confront a dangerous world with the new frontier being in cyberspace. The FBI continues its fight against ransomware attacks from hacker gangs.  And cybersecurity can only be achieved when our nation’s information systems are in sync with law enforcement. 

On Wednesday Boston College and the FBI hosted the 6th Boston Conference on Cyber Security (BCCS 2022). And the one-day live-streamed event opened with a keynote speech from Christopher Wray, the FBI director.

Boston children’s hospital attack

Wray told the conference that FBI agents learned of a planned digital attack targeting Boston Children's Hospital. And last summer the FBI was able to block Iran’s hackers. It could potentially have been “one of the most despicable cyberattacks...”

“And quick actions by everyone involved, especially at the hospital, protected both the network and the sick kids who depended on it,” Wray said.

The Director said that the FBI and Boston Children’s Hospital had been working closely together since 2014. Seven years ago, a hacktivist named Martin Gottesfeld attacked the hospital’s computer network.

Although Gottesfeld got a 10 year sentence the attack cost the hospital and associated facilities tens of thousands of dollars. And caused major disruptions of operations for several days.

“Children’s and our Boston office already knew each other well — before the attack from Iran — and that made a difference,” Wray said.

Director Wray gives Keynote speech

There has been an increase in hack-attacks on energy companies since the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine. And the FBI is “racing” to warn potential targets about preparatory actions that are Russia-based.

Hacker gangs from China “have stolen more corporate and personal data from Americans than all other nations combined,” Wray said. This is part of a broader geopolitical goal to “lie, cheat and steal,” he added.

The threat to the West from the Chinese government is “more brazen” and damaging than ever before. And Beijing is stealing American ideas and innovation and launching massive hacking operations every day.

Last year the FBI had over 2,000 investigations on the Chinese government targeting hackers.

Director Wray emphasizes that private companies need to work with the FBI to stop ransomware gangs and nation-state hackers. He adds that “building those relationships is a key to success.”