• New York Blood Center Enterprises is investigating a ransomware attack that disrupted its IT systems, impacting operations but not halting blood donations.
  • The organization is working with cybersecurity experts and law enforcement while maintaining services through workarounds to support hospitals and donors.

New York Blood Center Enterprises (NYBCe) has reported a ransomware attack affecting its IT systems. The organization, which provides critical blood supply services, detected suspicious activity on Sunday, January 26, and took immediate action to contain the threat.

Third-party cybersecurity experts have been engaged to investigate the incident and assist in restoring systems. Law enforcement has also been notified.

While the full extent of the attack remains under review, NYBCe has stated that its top priority is maintaining services for hospitals and donors.

"We remain in direct communication with our hospital partners and are implementing workarounds to help restore services and fulfill orders," the organization said in a statement.

Despite the cyber disruption, NYBCe continues to operate its donor centers and community blood drives, though processing times may be longer than usual. Some donation appointments may need to be rescheduled, and affected donors will be contacted accordingly.

The organization has not provided a specific timeline for full system restoration but emphasized that efforts are underway to resolve the situation as quickly and securely as possible.

The blood center has acknowledged the support of hospital partners, donor organizations, and the broader blood donation community. While donations are still being accepted, NYBCe anticipates potential challenges in the coming weeks and may issue additional calls for blood donations as needed.

Individuals who wish to help are encouraged to donate blood, though they may experience longer wait times or scheduling adjustments. NYBCe has expressed gratitude for donors' and healthcare partners' continued support and patience as they navigate the situation.

Edited by Harshajit Sarmah