Another New Zealand organisation is dealing with the harsh reality of ransomware. Dunedin clinical research company ZenTech is investigating a major cyber incident after attackers claimed to have stolen and published company files, potentially including sensitive health information linked to clinical trials. Systems have been taken offline while independent specialists work to contain the incident and determine what information may have been affected.
Police and Health New Zealand are involved, and Health Minister Simeon Brown is receiving regular updates. Health NZ says hospitals, general practices and its own digital systems are operating normally.
ZenTech is the victim here, but the incident is a timely reminder for every organisation holding sensitive information: know where your data sits, understand who can access it, and have a well-rehearsed Incident Response Plan ready before trouble arrives.