By Jeff Wardon, Jr., Assistant Editor

There is an onslaught of cyber-attacks on the frontlines of a larger cybersecurity fight healthcare facilities find themselves embroiled in daily. However, defenses are weakened by a shortage of cybersecurity professionals in the healthcare workforce. These healthcare facilities can only hold the line for so long in this state until their defenses are breached.  

Ransomware is one type of cyber-attack a hacker can deploy for their offensives. True to its name, ransomware takes sensitive data and holds it for ransom. The data is then said to be freed by paying out a demanded amount of money set by the attacking hacker. These amounts are often high and invoke a sense of panic for those affected. 

A recent cyber-attack on Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers in Illinois is the latest hit in a series of strikes the “Royal” ransomware gang claims to be behind. 

The gang posted this hospital to its leak site on May 22nd along with some files as alleged proof of its attack. Investigations into the attack began the following day, and the hospital found that patient care, its EHR and hospital operations were unaffected.  

Unfortunately, there are still a sizeable number of healthcare facilities that are affected in some way by ransomware attacks. In fact, ransomware attacks on healthcare facilities and systems have more than doubled from 2016 to 2021.  

With this staggering volume of attacks being launched on healthcare facilities, it leaves them strained in an increasingly stressed sector. The effects of these attacks can also trickle down into patients and their health outcomes. A 2021 survey even found that there is a link between ransomware and higher patient mortality.  

Bearing these kinds of effects in mind, it is vital that healthcare facilities know how to defend themselves and prevent ransomware attacks. Fortunately, there is a bevy of online resources that can be consulted for this information.  

Protecting sensitive information/data is key to keeping a healthcare facility operating properly. Ransomware can be scary, however, by working with cybersecurity professionals and following some good practices, it can be dealt with or prevented altogether. Even so, ransomware should not be taken lightly, as the effects it can have can be devastating. That is why maintaining cybersecurity defenses is paramount to routing ransomware threats and winning the battle.  

Jeff Wardon, Jr. is the assistant editor for the facilities market.