Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts computer systems to block or limit access to data, till the victim pays a ransom fee to the cyber attacker. In a survey conducted in 2021 of 597 Health Delivery Organizations, 42% had been a target of two ransomware attacks in the past couple of years. Destructive malware has the ability to spread worms through emails and internet messages attacking healthcare systems.
How to not be a victim of ransomware attacks?
The American Hospital Association (AHA) just recently warned hospitals and healthcare organizations about the potential risks from cybersecurity threats. This was due to the current situation in Ukraine. Hospitals can become incidental victims to Russian-deployed malware which can have serious consequences for the healthcare sector.
The malware is strong enough to target systems at large throughout a network, hence organizations need to evaluate the environment for uncharacteristic channels for malware delivery in their entire systems. Important measures need to be taken in the first place to prevent a ransomware attack from happening. This can start off by investing in security awareness training for employees in the healthcare organization. These training programs can help everyone in the hospital facility to identify and report any possible cybersecurity threats on patients and healthcare data so the IT team can intervene at the right time.
It is crucial for healthcare systems to stay updated with new threats. For example, destructive malware, HermeticWiper, and WhisperGate can pose a threat to healthcare. Being aware of the emerging trends in malware can help organizations stay on top of their security game. Being oblivious to new malware variants means that a health system is more prone to a cyber-attack.
IT teams in hospitals can deploy technical controls. These include; email filters that can help to block messages and disable Remote Desk Protocol on Windows machines. Healthcare facilities are also advised to install antivirus systems, firewalls and confirm appropriate network segmentation.
Using strong technology systems
59% of ransomware attacks are from emails according to Osterman Research. It makes sense that if an organization has leveraged the services of cloud-based EMR Software vendors then they are updated with all security protocols. End-to-end encryption and HIPAA compliance of the software system can ensure that patient data is secure round the clock. The increased threats from ransomware attacks require healthcare facilities to act without any delay and deploy security strategies to meet proper protection protocols.
