Stryker, the parent company of Mahwah-based Stryker Orthopaedics, said on March 12 that it is continuing to resolve a disruption to its global network following a cyberattack by pro-Iranian hackers.
The incident has affected Stryker’s internal Microsoft environment, but the company stated there is currently no indication of malware or ransomware. The company emphasized that the situation remains contained within its internal systems.
Stryker develops products and services in medical-surgery, neurotechnology, and orthopaedics, impacting more than 150 million patients each year. The company said it can access orders entered before the attack and will ship products as soon as system communications are restored. Orders received after the event are under review. “We are working to ensure our electronic ordering system is back up and running as quickly as possible,” according to the statement.
CNN reported that hackers claiming responsibility for the attack posted on social media that their actions were in retaliation for a missile strike on an elementary school in Iran that killed 168 people, mostly children. FOX Business News reported claims from the hackers that 200,000 Stryker systems were affected and 50 terabytes of data were extracted.
FOX 17 News in West Michigan reported that Stryker’s global headquarters in Portage closed on Wednesday while addressing the issue. According to Portage Public Safety, phones and computers connected to Stryker’s systems were being wiped during the attack.
The broader implications of this incident highlight ongoing cybersecurity risks faced by companies operating critical infrastructure worldwide.
