• Last week, AIIMS-Delhi discovered a data intrusion.
• Reports of a demand for cash from the hackers were refuted by Delhi Police.
• Following the data compromise, AIIMS network sanitization is in action.

According to government sources, hackers have allegedly demanded approximately Rs 200 crore in cryptocurrencies from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, whose system has been down for six days in a row.

It is anticipated that the intrusion discovered Wednesday morning may have affected the data of 3–4 crore patients. The sources added that while the system was still down, patient care services in the emergency, outpatient, inpatient, and laboratory wings were managed manually. 

However, the Delhi Police issued a statement claiming that 'AIIMS authorities have not been made aware of any ransom demand as being claimed by various sections of the media.' The ransomware assault is being looked into by the Delhi Police, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the India Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN).

 The Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) division of the Delhi Police has filed a case of extortion and cyberterrorism. On the advice of the investigating agencies, Internet access has reportedly been disabled on hospital computers, according to official sources.

 A number of VIPs, including previous prime ministers, ministers, bureaucrats, and judges, have data saved on the AIIMS computer. One of the individuals informed PTI that 'hackers have purportedly sought roughly Rs 200 crore in cryptocurrencies.' 

The NIC e-hospital database and application servers have been back online in the interim. Other e-hospital servers at AIIMS that are necessary for the provision of hospital services are being scanned and cleaned by the NIC team, according to an official source.