Table of contents
- A cruel warning shot: who is SECTOR16?
- Outdated systems, no defense: the harsh truth of Italian hospitals
- It’s not just about data: lives are at stake
- Hackers speak: “Admins are failing at their job”
- Hospitals: the new golden goose for cybercrime
- A digital revolution is urgent and necessary
- Time to stop pretending
A cruel warning shot: who is SECTOR16?
The hacktivist group SECTOR16 posted a disturbing message: “Hello Italy! The hospital attack was successful.” But these weren’t just words.
They published real video footage from operating rooms, showing doctors in action and patients under surgery — taken directly from the hospital’s internal surveillance system.
Even worse, they extracted and allegedly refused to sell sensitive patient data. Their declared goal? To expose vulnerabilities and spark a conversation on cyber security in healthcare.
Outdated systems, no defense: the harsh truth of Italian hospitals
A technical analysis of the leaked video reveals a disconcerting scenario:
- Windows 7 operating system (unsupported and insecure)
- Vulnerable VMS (Video Management System)
- Camera labels like IC1, MR1, LC1, Kitchen clearly visible
- Pediatric details: cartoon-themed bedsheets, colorful walls, medical devices for infants
This exposure exposes an even more serious problem: the IT obsolescence of our hospital infrastructures.
It’s not just about data: lives are at stake
This wasn’t a ransomware attack, but what if it had been? Entire departments could be frozen, surgeries suspended, and lives lost.
Seconds matter in hospitals. Cyberattacks aren’t just about money — they’re about survival.
Hackers speak: “Admins are failing at their job”
In their response to accusations of cyberterrorism, SECTOR16 posted:
“We don’t intend to sell or release the data. This is an act of awareness.”
They blame system administrators for not doing their job, call for stricter cyber security protocols, and warn that these failures could cost lives.
Hospitals: the new golden goose for cybercrime
Healthcare facilities have become top targets for cybercriminals, especially ransomware gangs. According to Red Hot Cyber, many Italian hospitals have been attacked. Here are just a few:
- San Giovanni Addolorata (Rome)
- ASP Messina
- Niguarda Hospital (Milan)
- University Hospital of Verona
- ULSS6 Padova
- Synlab
- ASL Napoli 3
- ASST Rhodense
- …and the list keeps growing.
A digital revolution is urgent and necessary
There’s only one way out now:
- Eliminate systems like Windows 7
- Invest in cyber security infrastructure
- Train healthcare staff on digital threats
- Establish effective emergency protocols
This is not optional. Cyber security is now public health policy.
Time to stop pretending
We can no longer allow breaches in our hospitals to be treated as mere news stories. The risk is real and immediate. Every minute of delay can cost a human life.
Join the debate: what do you think about this situation? Should digital security become a national priority?
Questions and answers
- What happened in this cyberattack?
Hackers infiltrated an Italian hospital’s video surveillance system and leaked surgical footage online. - Who is SECTOR16?
A hacktivist group that conducts symbolic attacks on critical infrastructure to expose weaknesses. - What systems were used in the hospital?
Windows 7 and an outdated video surveillance system. - Were patient records stolen?
Yes. The attackers claim not to have sold or distributed them. - What are the real-world risks of such an attack?
Medical delays, data breaches, and potential loss of life due to system outages. - Why are hospitals so vulnerable?
Lack of funding, training, updated systems, and a digital security culture. - How can hospitals be protected?
By updating systems, training staff, and implementing robust security protocols. - Was it a pediatric hospital?
Despite appearances, SECTOR16 denies it was a children’s hospital. - Are the authorities investigating?
There are no official statements yet, but an investigation is likely underway. - Have other Italian hospitals been attacked?
Yes. Numerous attacks have been reported in the past years.
