Boston Scientific says it is close to restoring shipping operations, nearly a week after a cybersecurity incident disrupted its global network and affected cardiac monitoring devices.
The medical device manufacturer identified the incident Aug. 25, and in an Aug. 30 update said it has seen no indication of unauthorized activity in its environment since that date. The activity remains limited to certain on-premises systems, with no impact to Boston Scientific’s cloud-based systems and applications.
New remote monitoring activations for cardiac rhythm management devices, including implantable cardioverter-defibrillators and pacemakers, have been affected since the attack, according to the company. Devices implanted after Aug. 25 cannot have their communicators activated, so device data will not transmit to remote patient management systems until internal systems are restored and the devices can be paired with home monitoring equipment.
Boston Scientific said episodes will continue to be recorded and will transmit once that pairing occurs. Programmer interrogations and previously activated remote monitoring are unaffected.
The incident has also disrupted manufacturing. At Boston Scientific’s Cork, Ireland, plant, which employs about 1,200 people, shifts scheduled for Aug. 29 were canceled, the Irish Examiner reported. Boston Scientific employs more than 7,000 people across three Irish sites in Cork, Clonmel and Galway.
Boston Scientific said its confidence in restoring ordering and shipping access “continues to increase,” and it is working toward partial restoration of shipping for some products this week. Customers can continue placing orders electronically, including through the Global Health Exchange, but they will not be fulfilled until on-premises systems are restored.
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