It’s Thursday, Orlando. Expect mostly cloudy skies this morning with a scattered storm or two this afternoon. Highs will reach about 92° with lows of around 75°. Here’s what’s on deck:

• Orlando-Based Blood Center Hit with Ransomware Attack

• Florida Updates Driver’s Licenses to Curb Identity Theft

Let’s dive in.

HEALTHCARE

Orlando-Based Blood Center Hit with Ransomware Attack

What's happening: OneBlood, an essential blood center based in Orlando, suffered a ransomware attack yesterday that disrupted its software systems. Despite the setback, the organization is still operating, albeit through slower manual processes, to collect, test, and distribute blood.

Why it matters: The attack has put a strain on OneBlood's ability to meet the needs of over 250 hospitals across Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. With hospitals now implementing critical blood shortage protocols, there's a call for donations, especially for O Positive, O Negative, and platelet types.

Current response: OneBlood is coordinating with other U.S. blood centers to manage the supply gap. Local healthcare providers, such as Orlando Health and AdventHealth, are adapting to the situation by seeking alternative suppliers and instituting blood conservation measures, aiming to ensure that patient care continues without interruption.

Big picture: The incident highlights the increasing threat of cyberattacks on healthcare organizations, which hold sensitive data and provide critical services. Cybersecurity expert Rob Allen notes that these attacks are becoming more sophisticated, making it imperative for organizations to strengthen their defenses and raise awareness among employees about cybersecurity best practices.

Read more here (Orlando Business Journal)

STATE LAWS

Florida Updates Driver’s Licenses to Curb Identity Theft

What’s happening: A new state law requires Florida driver’s licenses and IDs to include at least four randomly generated numbers, adding another layer of protection. This change makes it more difficult for scammers to duplicate licenses and use them to access personal accounts or obtain credit.

Why it matters: Identity theft remains a significant issue, with over a million cases reported to the Federal Trade Commission last year, many involving fake driver's licenses.

The big picture: The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles aims to reduce identity theft with this new measure. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) emphasizes that while social security numbers are commonly safeguarded, driver's licenses also contain critical personal information that’s often less secure.

What's next: After receiving an updated ID, the new number remains unless there's a change in the individual's last name. For additional protection, residents can also opt for a “Verify ID Flag” on their driving record, alongside other security measures introduced with the Real ID.

Read more here (6 South Florida)

QUICK HITS

In Other News…

1. Winter Park is putting plans on hold to improve a busy Fairbanks Avenue intersection, which would have required the relocation of a local coffee shop.

2. An Orlando tax preparer was sentenced to 26 months in federal prison after filing 1,949 false tax returns.

3. Universal Orlando released new details on its upcoming Harry Potter land, one of five new Universal parks set to open in 2025.

Thanks for tuning in to today’s edition of the newsletter. See you back here tomorrow.

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