KOROR (Island Times/Pacnews) — A cyberattack on Palau’s Ministry of Health and Human Services has disrupted services.
It is the latest in a series of escalating digital threats against Palau’s government agencies, raising national concern.
The MHHS has confirmed that a cyberattack disrupted operations at Belau National Hospital, causing service delays. Officials are still assessing the extent of the breach.
“The MHHS was the target of a cyberattack. Work to determine the extent of the attack is ongoing.” Despite the incident, the hospital remains open, and patients are encouraged to continue seeking care as usual,” MHHS stated in a public announcement.
“Residents can attend Belau National Hospital as you normally would, as services do continue,” the ministry assured. However, patients requiring medication refills are advised to bring their pill containers or prescriptions.
As staff work to implement mitigation measures, the MHHS is asking for public cooperation. “We ask the public for support as staff work to implement mitigation measures. We will provide updates to the public as they become available,” the announcement stated.
Authorities have not disclosed whether patient data was compromised or if the attack involved a ransom demand. Investigations are ongoing.
This latest incident follows previous ransomware and data encryption attacks on government institutions, including the Ministry of Finance, the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, and the National Development Bank of Palau.
In response to these escalating threats, the Palau Senate is working on Senate Bill 12-9, which seeks to establish a National Cybersecurity Office.
The bill, introduced on Jan. 28 2025, was authored by Sen. T.J. Imrur Remengesau and co-sponsored by four other senators. It was assigned to the Committee on Cybersecurity, Telecommunication, and Technology chaired by Senator Remengesau.
The legislation seeks to safeguard the public from “bad actors” who intentionally exploit technology to cause harm. The bill emphasizes the need for reliable, secure, and high-quality digital services to support safe access to government resources and boost participation in both national and global digital economies.
The bill aims to protect Palau’s citizens, businesses, and government from cyber threats while fostering a secure and reliable digital economy.
The proposed Cybersecurity Office would shift cybersecurity responsibilities from the Ministry of Finance’s Information Systems Support Services to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Industries.
The proposed office’s key mandates include serving as a cybersecurity hub for national and state governments, developing cybersecurity policies and regulatory standards to safeguard critical infrastructure and monitoring emerging threats and technologies to mitigate risks.
Sen. Mark Rudimch voiced support for the bill but stressed the need for confidentiality safeguards, proposing that all staff and advisory committee members sign nondisclosure agreements.
With cyberattacks becoming increasingly frequent and disruptive, Palau is at a turning point in its cybersecurity strategy.
The latest cyberattack on the health ministry serves as a stark reminder of the growing digital vulnerabilities facing the nation.