Iranian Hacktivists Strike Medical Device Maker Stryker, Wiping Systems and Stealing 50 Terabytes of Data

In a shocking cyberattack, Iranian hacktivists group Handala has struck Stryker, a leading manufacturer of medical devices, causing a global network disruption that has reportedly shut down the company's systems worldwide. The attack, which occurred early this morning, has resulted in the company's internal login and admin pages being defaced with the logo of Handala, a known Iranian hacktivist group, and a message claiming that they hit more than 200,000 Stryker servers, systems, and employee devices – many of which have been wiped – and that they stole 50 terabytes of data.

The attack, which is believed to be a wiper attack, has left Stryker's employees unable to log into their accounts or use company applications, with some workers taking to Reddit to share their experiences and details of the hack. The company has acknowledged the attack and called it "severe" in communication with employees, stating that they are working to restore systems and operations as quickly as possible.

Stryker, which employs 56,000 people globally, makes a range of medical devices, including surgical and imaging equipment, defibrillators, hospital beds, joint-replacement systems, and other medical devices – including systems used by the US military to treat wounded personnel. The company has a history of working with the US military, including a $225 million contract signed in 2020 and a $450 million contract extended last year.

The attack is believed to be in retaliation for the US bombing of an all-girls school in Iran, which occurred on the first day of the US-Israeli assault on that country. The hackers, who are believed to be affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, have warned that they will target the offices and infrastructure of US companies with links to Israel and whose technology has been used to assist military operations.

Wiper attacks, such as the one carried out by Handala, are one of the most common types of destructive cyberattacks that occur. Other countries, including Russia and North Korea, have also used wiper attacks in their cyberattacks, including targeting energy grid systems in Poland and Ukraine.

The attack on Stryker highlights the growing threat of state-sponsored cyberattacks and the need for companies to have robust cybersecurity measures in place to protect themselves against such attacks. It also highlights the importance of international cooperation and collaboration in responding to such threats.

In conclusion, the cyberattack on Stryker is a significant incident that highlights the growing threat of state-sponsored cyberattacks and the need for companies to have robust cybersecurity measures in place. It is a reminder that no company is safe from cyberattacks, and that companies must be prepared to respond to such attacks quickly and effectively.