- Comparitech Stack Report
- Posts
- Cybercriminals Claim Attack on Ontario Health Department
Cybercriminals Claim Attack on Ontario Health Department
Taylor Hawes
February 06, 2026
⚡ Weekend Threat Brief
Cybercriminals Claim Attack on Ontario Health Department
A ransomware group called Lynx says it hacked Lakelands Public Health, a local government health department in Ontario, Canada. The attack disrupted internal systems, including phone lines, and the group posted sample stolen documents on its data leak site. The department confirmed a cybersecurity incident on January 29, 2026, is under investigation, but has not confirmed data theft or ransom details. Lynx, a ransomware-as-a-service operator, has claimed dozens of attacks globally and is known for dual theft and encryption malware. Experts say government and healthcare targets are rising in ransomware activity, and attacks can both lock systems and steal data.
Takeaway:
The ransomware group Lynx claimed responsibility for the attack.
Lakelands Public Health is investigating and working with law enforcement.
Ransomware threats against government and healthcare continue to increase.
🎯 Tactical Playbook
Italy Thwarts Cyberattacks Ahead of the Winter Olympics
Italian authorities say they prevented a series of cyberattacks allegedly linked to Russian threat actors targeting foreign ministry facilities and sites tied to the 2026 Winter Olympics. The attacks reportedly included attempts to disrupt embassy networks and websites for Olympic venues and hotels in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Officials emphasize the attacks were neutralized without major impact. Security forces are also deployed around Olympic sites as part of broader protective measures ahead of the event, which runs from February 6–22. Analysts note these incidents highlight the growing threat of politically motivated cyber operations around major international events.
Key Takeaway:
Attacks targeted diplomatic infrastructure and Olympic-linked digital assets.
Italy says the incident was linked to Russian threat actors.
Pre-event security efforts include both cyber and physical measures.
🛡️ Research Watch
FDA Updates Cybersecurity Guidance to Reflect New QMSR Framework
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has updated its medical device cybersecurity guidance to align with the newly effective Quality Management System Regulation (QMSR). The QMSR replaces the older QSR framework and incorporates ISO 13485 international standards for quality systems. The revised guidance clarifies expectations for cybersecurity risk management, documentation, and quality controls under QMSR, and also changes how device inspections are conducted by the agency. This update reflects broader regulatory shifts towards harmonised global standards and emphasises a risk-based approach to device safety and cybersecurity.
🧩 Tool Tip of the Week
PRTG Monitoring for Servers and Apps
PRTG Network Monitor helps you track key performance metrics for servers, applications, and network infrastructure. By using sensors that report on CPU, RAM, disk usage, service status, and network throughput, you can spot performance issues before they cause system outages. Custom alerts let you receive notifications when thresholds are crossed, so IT teams can act quickly and prevent downtime. PRTG’s dashboards bring data together in one place, giving a clear view of health across servers and hosted services.
Tip: Set up dedicated sensors for critical applications and servers and define custom threshold alerts. This way you’re alerted only to performance issues that matter, reducing noise from minor fluctuations.
🗣️ Community Signal
In most organizations, cybersecurity strategies do not fail because teams lack knowledge. They fail at execution. Security professionals generally understand what needs to be implemented. What is missing is the organization’s ability to consistently act on agreed decisions. Fisnik Rexha, Cybersecurity Architect.
🗳️ Your Take - The Results
|
Until Monday’s edition - Let’s keep that zero-day count at zero!