Healthcare Among Top Targets of Cyber Attacks

Nearly 28 percent of attacks on healthcare last year were ransomware

By By Dan Hounsell


As healthcare IT managers continue to fortify their organizations’ defenses against attempts to access valuable patient and COVID-19-related data, the extent of the cyber attacks on their system is becoming more apparent.

Cyber attacks on healthcare, manufacturing and energy doubled in 2020 from the previous year as threat actors increasingly target critical industries that can’t afford downtime, according to a new report from IBM, according to Campus Safety. Healthcare jumped from last place in 2019 to seventh place in 2020, possibly driven by COVID-related healthcare attacks, ransomware attacks and attacks targeting COVID-related research. Nearly 28 percent of attacks on healthcare last year were ransomware, which is particularly devastating.

IBM’s 2021 X-Force Threat Intelligence Index illustrates the way cyberattacks evolved last year as hacking groups took advantage of socioeconomic, business and political challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ransomware continues to be the most common attack, and about 60% of ransomware attacks IBM responded to used a double extortion strategy in which attackers encrypted, stole and threatened to leak data if the ransom wasn’t paid.



March 8, 2021


Topic Area: Information Technology


Recent Posts

Seeking Standards for Microbial Loads in Healthcare Facilities

Why is there no binding standard for the acceptable microbial load on surfaces or in the air in hospitals?


UCR Health Unveils Plans for Major Expansion

The vision for the site will include an outpatient diagnostic center and possible future expansion.


High-Performance Windows Support Safety at UW Medicine's New Behavioral Health Center

Case study: Engineered for strength, quiet and daylight, the chosen windows help create a safe, calming and energy-efficient environment for patients and providers.


Central Maine Healthcare Dealing with IT System Outage

The organization identified unusual activity within their computer software, prompting them to secure and shut off all IT systems.


Kaiser Permanente Opens Newly Expanded Everett Medical Center

The facility offers primary care and pediatric care and has specialty care departments.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.