HHS Warns of New Ransomware Group Targeting Healthcare Facilities

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has issued a warning to hospitals and other healthcare facilities regarding Royal, the latest ransomware group to attack facilities. 

Royal has become an increasing threat to the healthcare sector. Royal-based attacks have steadily grown over the last three months, according to the notice. Ransom demands have ranged between $250,000 to over $2 million. 

The group first emerged in September and appears to not have any other affiliates. Royal appears to be financially motivated and has exfiltrated sensitive data, leaving healthcare facilities to be seen as vulnerable. The group uses Cobalt Strike tactics to harvest credentials from healthcare networks, according to the notice. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services warns that the ransomware tactic is spreading and urges facilities to remain vigilant. 

With the increase of cybersecurity attacks against healthcare facilities, the FBI has recommended the following protocols to help lower the risk of a breach:  

• Have a contingency plan in place.  
• Keep all operating systems up to date.  
• Implement a user training program and phishing exercises.  
• Require strong, unique passwords for all accounts with password logins.  
• Require multi-factor authentication.  
• Maintain offline —  i.e., physically disconnected — backups of data, and regularly test backup and restoration.  
• Ensure all backup data is encrypted.  
• Protect cloud storage by backing up to multiple locations, requiring MFA for access, and encrypting data in the cloud. 

Mackenna Moralez is the associate editor for the facilities market.