Michigan’s Stryker: No timeline yet to restore network operations after cyberattack
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PORTAGE, Mich. — It remains unclear when network operations at Stryker, a Michigan-based global leader in medical technologies, will be restored following Wednesday’s cyberattack.
In a report filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, officials with Stryker say the attack caused, and is expected to continue to cause, disruptions and limited access to the company’s information systems and apps that support operations and corporate functions.
Stryker is working to restore functionality and system access. However, officials say a timeline for full restoration is not yet known, according to the report.
It is also remains undetermined if the cyberattack will have any material impact on the company, the report detailed.
“The Company has business continuity measures in place to continue to support its customers and partners,” officials wrote. “The Company’s investigation of the cybersecurity incident is ongoing, and the full scope, nature and impacts, including operational and financial impacts, of the incident are not yet known.”
As a result of a cyberattack, which may be tied to an Iranian-linked hacking group, Stryker on Wednesday announced they were experiencing a “severe, global disruption” on their Microsoft environment.
However, there was no indication of ransomware or malware, and officials said they believe the disruption has been contained.
“Our teams are working rapidly to understand the impact of the attack on our systems,” officials said. “Stryker has business continuity measures in place to continue to support our customers and partners. We are committed to transparency and will keep stakeholders informed as we know more.”
Several employees reached out to News Channel 3, saying they received text messages just before 7:30 a.m. Wednesday that said the reported disruption impacted all Stryker laptops and systems connected to Stryker’s network.
In part, the message read as follows:
“We are experiencing a severe, global disruption impacting all Stryker laptops and systems that connect our network. EDT is working to resolve the issue… Updates will be sent as information becomes available.”
The text instructed employees not to connect to Stryker’s network through any device or mobile apps, such as Microsoft Outlook or Microsoft Teams.
Sen. Gary Peters (D – MI), in response to a request for comment from News Channel 3, said the cyberattack “signals the real-world threats that communities face because of President Trump’s war in Iran.” He issued the following statement:
“Instead of alerting our constituents to the threat of retaliation from Iran, this Administration and my Republican colleagues have gutted the counterterrorism and cyber defense programs that are meant to identify potential attacks and help communities respond to them if they occur. We have a duty to help our communities defend against the threats they face. Unfortunately, this administration’s actions have only put Americans at heightened risk.”
Rep. Bill Huizenga (R – MI) said Wednesday his office had been in touch with Stryker and the Trump Administration. According to Huizenga, if the attack is connected to an Iranian-linked hacking group, it “continues to demonstrate the threat the Iranian regime pose to America, our allies, and our interests.”
“Cyber attacks from foreign adversaries, especially Iran, exemplify why funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which has been passed by the House, should be passed by the Senate without further delay,” Huizenga said.
As of 12:12 p.m. Thursday, stocks continue to fall at Stryker. It dropped by 17.11 points (4.86%) to 328.68. The company’s stock was at 358.76 points when the market opened prior to hack Wednesday, but has fallen a total of 9.16% in two days.
Founded by Dr. Homer Stryker in Kalamazoo County, Stryker’s global headquarters is located in Portage.
The company offers an array of products and services in Medical and Surgical, Neurotechnology, Orthopaedics and Spine that aim to improve patient and healthcare outcomes, according to Stryker’s website.
Globally, the company employs more than 53,000 people and has offices across 61 countries.
