Healthcare is an ‘easy victim’ for ransomware attacks. How hospitals can mitigate the damage.

Hospitals are increasingly vulnerable to ransomware attacks due to limited resources and a highly connected ecosystem. Ransomware, which locks users out of their data until a ransom is paid, disrupts care, shuts down electronic health records (EHRs), cancels appointments, and redirects ambulances, potentially increasing patient mortality rates.

Major attacks this year include disruptions at UnitedHealth’s Change Healthcare and a lengthy EHR restoration at Ascension. The HHS reports a 264% rise in ransomware-related data breaches over five years.

Challenges include a shortage of cybersecurity professionals, the complexity of updating devices, and the rise of ransomware-as-a-service, where tools are leased to less skilled attackers. Proactive planning and key protections are crucial for hospitals to better withstand such cyber threats.