Suspected Iranian Cyberattack Targets U.S. Medtech Company Stryker A major U.S. medical technology company, Stryker, has suffered a cyberattack that has caused widespread system outages, disrupting operations globally. Employees in multiple countries are currently unable to access internal tools, emails, or devices following the incident. The outage began after midnight on the East Coast, according to the Wall Street Journal. Stryker staff reported that devices running Microsoft’s Windows operating system had been wiped, indicating a destructive wiper-style attack rather than a traditional ransomware operation. Dr. Darren Williams, founder and CEO of BlackFog, noted that such attacks often target operational systems to maximize disruption. “When manufacturing environments are taken offline, the consequences can quickly ripple through supply chains, particularly in sectors like healthcare where the availability of critical equipment is essential,” he explained. Stryker, based in Portage, Michigan, is one of the world’s largest medical device manufacturers. Its products are used by healthcare systems worldwide, making the attack’s potential impact on global healthcare infrastructure significant. The attack may be linked to the Iran-connected hacktivist group “Handala,” as reports suggest imagery associated with the group appeared on login pages. However, no official attribution has been confirmed. As tensions with Iran escalate, critical infrastructure organizations in the U.S. are urged to remain vigilant. Dr. Williams emphasized that even in disruption-focused attacks, data exfiltration remains a common tactic. Stolen data can be leveraged for extortion or to threaten the exposure of sensitive corporate or research information.#iran #stryker #handala #blackfog #portage_michigan
