Government to Russian hackers: We will not negotiate with criminals

Croatian officials confirmed Tuesday that a cyber-attack last week on Croatia's largest hospital, Clinical Hospital Zagreb, was carried out by Russian hackers.

Health Minister Vili Beroš offered a few details after reports began circulating Monday on social media that a Russian group, Lockbeat 3.0, was behind the hack. Beroš also confirmed they were demanding a ransom.

"What do criminals want? Money, of course," Beroš told reporters in a brief exchange. The hackers are allegedly demanding an undisclosed sum by the 18th of this month in exchange for the return of patient and employee records, organ donor data, and medical research.

"The terrorists have demanded certain terms but the position of international authorities that combat these kinds of activities as well as of the Croatian government is that one does not negotiate with criminals," said Beroš, adding that the hackers had not provided any proof that they actually stolen any data on Croatian citizens.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković's message to the hackers is that they will not be getting their ransom.

"There is no chance that any government institution will be extorted in any way. They are not going to get anything from Croatia. Croatia does not bend to the will of criminals,” said Plenković.

Cyber-attacks are becoming more common. However, information security expert Alen Delić says that we should not give too much media attention to the hackers since it could all be part of a rouse.

"We should bear in mind, that recently there have been cases where groups have claimed that they have certain information that they actually do not. It is a game of cat and mouse,” said Delić.

A cybersecurity investigation is underway. The government said both Croatian and international institutions are involved.