ES Views: We must take the threat of cyber attacks seriously

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The NHS system was badly affected by a targeted cyber attack
PA
16 May 2017
WEST END FINAL

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There is no silver bullet for protecting against ransomware and the overwhelming concern for personal data is exactly what cyber-criminals are counting on. The individual ransom demands seem low, around $300 (£230), but this will add up quickly if hundreds or thousands of computers are affected.

Although paying a ransom might encourage further attacks, the reality is that patient care could be affected in a very direct way if care givers are unable to access their systems. As with many aspects of information security, prevention is better than cure, but ransomware is very difficult to prevent totally.

The NHS seems to have taken the best action it can — by shutting down systems, it has limited the spread of the infection.
David Warburton, F5 Networks

Senior civil servants in Whitehall have been pushing government organisations such as the NHS into keeping computer records, without any paper alternative or back-up, for the best part of a decade. More and more services — such as legal aid and the courts — are scrapping the paper version of their applications and records.

Now, with last weekend’s cyber attacks on the NHS, we see the way Whitehall has left us all vulnerable. Please do not blame the hospitals and the doctors. Top civil servants have had a ridiculous faith in modern technology, which is now seen to be hopelessly misplaced.

This was all entirely foreseeable and they have been warned for years. They just would not listen to professionals who told them this would happen.

A complete reversal of policy is urgently needed as clearly demonstrated by the past few days. 
Nigel Boddy
 

The chickens are coming home to roost over underfunding of NHS in real terms. Upgrading of old computer systems was not done due to a lack of funds and now it will cost much, much more to upgrade them to give them better security against future attacks — plus all the extra costs of the chaos this cyber attack caused with delayed operations and appointments, to say nothing of stress caused to patients.

Why has Jeremy Hunt been so silent on this?
Valerie Crews

Has anyone noticed the “strong  and stable” leadership shown by  the Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, over the ransomeware cyber-attack on the NHS which has now infected  more than 40 hospitals in the UK? Me neither.
Sasha Simic
 

I really do hope that the operating system that was so comprehensively attacked by cyber-criminals at the weekend is not the same one used on our nuclear submarines.
Delia Costello


Solution to knife crime is education

Your editorial (“What lies behind the knife crime figures”, May 12) courageously eschews political correctness and highlights the fact that the recent scourge of knife crime in London falls heavily on the black community, and that there is no group with more at stake than black parents.

And yes, the solution lies in education. Which means pupils being taught the futility of carrying a knife or belonging to a gang, and teachers not indulging black patois or nihilistic rap culture and encouraging black children to strive for academic excellence above all else. And zero tolerance of knives.
Stan Labovitch

The fall in stop and search over recent years has been due in no small measure to the advancement of the “social worker” role of the police, combined with the constant lobbying of the civil liberties fraternity who pounce on every perceived mistake.
Crawford Chalmers

It is a matter of deep regret that many influential voices did not listen to frontline police officers when they attempted to explain the sound rationale behind their stop-and-search policy. The recent resurgence of knife crime is exactly what those officers predicted would be the result of restrictions on stop-and-search.

Such displays of liberal piety, while no doubt flattering to the ego, have consequences in real life.
Richard Hickey


Is Crossrail 2 really worth the cost?

It seems that not a week goes by without a group of business or civic leaders declaring that Crossrail 2 is essential and that it must proceed without delay. Perhaps the funding isn’t forthcoming because the scheme is poorly conceived and does not offer good value for money.

London, and our other major cities, badly need better transport capacity and connectivity, so maybe it’s time that those promoting Crossrail 2 started to look at more affordable, and faster ways of achieving this.

If we had £30 billion to spend on improving transport, is this really the best we could do?
Tom Noble

Join the conversation: #esnewsviews


Seventies weren't all bad, you know

I don't understand the jibe about Labour going back to the Seventies as though it were a bad time (with its election manifesto launched last week. The Seventies were a good time for many people.

The gap between rich and poor was at its lowest level, consequently happiness levels were at their highest point. Working weeks were getting shorter, the retirement age coming down. There were even hot summers.
Paul Donovan

Businesses in the West End are watching the election aware that one of their biggest taxes has just increased massively. Stores face an average 80 per cent increase in their business rates compared with last year. High streets throughout London will see shop, pub and restaurant closures as businesses struggle to find this huge amount of extra money, particularly at this time of economic uncertainty.

Many others will have to cut investment in their businesses and in job creation. The business rate system fails the three principles of good taxation. It is not fair, it is not progressive and it is clearly not based on an ability to pay.
Sir Peter Rogers, chairman, New West End Company

l was extremely pleased about Labour’s manifesto, especially with regards to renationalising our railways. Bearing that in mind, l find it difficult to believe that Labour is supporting HS2, the £65-£90 billion white elephant that will hurt thousands of people, and only benefit the few. We simply cannot afford both Brexit and HS2.
Mimi Romilly

Join the conversation: #eselection2017


Spurs can still win title in my fantasy

Deep in the bowels of a vault in N17, I can reveal that the 2016-17 season was meant to be the first when a bonus point was to be awarded when a team scores four or more goals (like in the Rugby Premiership with four tries).

On this basis Spurs are in still in with a good chance of winning the Premier League. Don’t we all like fantasy football?
Michael Cross

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