Bairnsdale Regional Health Service (BRHS) is close to regaining its full technological function following a ransomware attack that impacted 23 hospitals across Victoria on September 30.

Almost all online systems have been restored, although internet access is still not available at some staff workstations across the hospital.

BRHS staff recently regained the ability to send and receive emails to and from people outside the organisation.

If you have been trying to communicate with BRHS staff or departments via email, please note that emails sent to BRHS between the evening of Monday, September 30 and Tuesday, November 12 will not have been received, and they will not be sent now that email is back online. You should follow up with the relevant staff person.

The ransomware attack triggered a “Code Yellow” at BRHS, a term used to coordinate a response to internal systems incidents.

Staff switched to continuity plans in place for IT shutdowns of this kind, utilising paper-based record keeping and other forms of communication to replace online systems.

Service to the community continued largely without disruption.

There is no indication that patient data was stolen in the cyber attack. The aim of this sort of cyber attack is to extract payment from organisations rather than steal data.

The Victorian Government is involved in a forensic investigation to uncover the source and severity of the cyber attack. The investigation involves a mix of state and federal police, cyber security experts and support from private industry.

BRHS will continue to post updates for the community online.

PICTURED: Almost all online systems have been restored at Bairnsdale Regional Health Service. The ransomware attack triggered a “Code Yellow” on Monday, September 30.