Kimmo Alkio, CEO of Tietoevry, whose data services – and thereby many government agencies and businesses that purchase them – were affected by a hacker attack a week ago with significant consequences. Archive photo. Photo: Magnus Hjalmarson Neideman/Svd/TT
Progress is being made, but it is impossible to say when the problems will be resolved. That is the picture Tietoevry’s CEO painted in an interview with Dagens industri after the hacker attack last weekend that affected the company and its data services, as well as many businesses, healthcare, and government agencies.
”Given that this involves criminal activity that has been reported to the police, we cannot say much,” Alkio told the newspaper. He added that ”now everyone is on deck, with a battle between good and evil.”
Affected customers have been contacted and some systems have been restored. But Alkio does not want to say how many customers have had problems or estimate when they can be resolved.
”We are making tangible progress, but how this will end cannot be fully predicted, that’s how it is with cybercrime,” says Alkio.
Dagens industri also writes that the Riksbank, like Tietoevry, has reported the hacker attack, which is believed to be carried out by the Russian hacker group Akira. The Riksbank cannot access its system for personnel and salaries.
”At the time of the report, it is unknown if personal data has leaked to unauthorized persons, which is why the Riksbank is also reporting the incident,” the report says.
Approximately 120 government agencies use the payroll and personnel system Primula, a system managed by the Swedish Agency for Government Employers and delivered by Tietoevry.
FACTS
Affected companies and government agencies
The exact extent of the ransomware attack on January 20 is not known. Tietoevry has not released a list of those affected. The following companies have confirmed or been mentioned as affected by credible sources:
Systembolaget, Stadium, Rusta, Granngården, Filmstaden, Moelven.
Region Västerbotten, Region Uppsala, Region Blekinge, Region Sörmland, Vellinge Municipality.
Dalarna University, Lund University, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Karlstad University, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm University, University West. Riksbanken.
Several of the above are affected by the HR system Primula, which is used by 120 Swedish government agencies.
