Healthcare organizations are under attack in 2024, with cybercriminals compromising the sensitive medical data of more than 14 million US patients. And ransomware — a kind of attack where hackers encrypt stolen data and then demand payment to decrypt and restore it — is becoming a favored tactic of cybercriminals targeting medical facilities.
So, how do you keep your patient data safe? In this post, we’ll explore why hackers target the healthcare industry and the real-world consequences of their attacks. We’ll also discuss how to mitigate your healthcare organization’s ransomware risks.
Why Healthcare Is an Attractive Target for Ransomware
Healthcare organizations offer a plethora of sensitive personal information, making them a prime target for ransomware operators. The time-sensitive nature of their operations and often limited cybersecurity resources make these businesses particularly vulnerable to hackers and bad actors.
High-Value Patient Data
Patient health records fetch high prices on dark web markets — giving hackers a much more lucrative payday than social security or credit card numbers. Because medical records contain a treasure trove of personal, financial, and medical information, criminals can use the data for fraud, identity theft, and other attacks.
Urgency in Service Continuity
In healthcare, a moment’s hesitation can mean the difference between life and death. So, if a ransomware attack locks important systems, it can delay access to patient records, imaging systems, or medication management platforms—with real-world consequences for patients.
And this life-and-death kind of pressure often forces healthcare organizations to consider paying ransoms even though experts advise against it. For example, attackers recently extorted a $22 million ransom payment during the Change Healthcare breach.
Recent Trends in Healthcare Ransomware Attacks
Healthcare providers have recently seen a dramatic surge in ransomware campaigns, with attacks becoming more targeted and destructive.
Increase in Attack Frequency
According to SonicWall’s latest threat research, 91% of malware-related data breaches in healthcare now involve ransomware. And the attackers are relentless; SonicWall reports blocking more than 26,000 attempted attacks on healthcare organizations this year.
Shifts in Attack Methods
Ransomware groups constantly refine and fine-tune their tactics, adopting multi-pronged approaches to maximize pressure on victims. For example, hacker groups like Lockbit have orchestrated high-profile attacks against medical device manufacturers and healthcare providers, impacting hundreds of thousands of patients. Double-extortion tactics — where attackers encrypt data and threaten to leak it — have made the threat even more dangerous. And sophisticated phishing attacks like business email compromise, where hackers trick employees into revealing sensitive information and exposing healthcare data, leaving patients open to fraud and identity theft.
Consequences of Ransomware for Healthcare Organizations
The impact of ransomware attacks goes beyond the financial losses they cause, creating cascading effects throughout healthcare operations.
Financial and Operational Impact
Ransomware attacks strain resources by forcing healthcare providers to shift their focus from patient care to crisis management. And the potential costs associated with ransomware go far beyond paying off hackers, including:
- Lost revenue: A system outage can halt billing processes and patient services, creating immediate cash flow gaps that can impact operations.
- Legal obligations: Healthcare organizations face steep HIPAA violation penalties, patient notification requirements, and potential class-action lawsuits that can cost millions.
- Reputation management: Regaining your reputation (and patient/community trust) after a ransomware attack is expensive and time-consuming.
Additionally, a ransomware attack isn’t a fast-resolving event; an organization can anticipate operational disruptions for weeks or months after the initial attack.
Patient Care and Safety Risks
When hackers launch a ransomware attack on a healthcare company, providers often lose access to systems that support patient care. This can lead to delayed surgical procedures, disrupted medication orders, and even compromised diagnostic services — all things that create immediate risks to patient safety and can have long-term consequences for treatment outcomes.
Strategies for Mitigating Ransomware Risks in Healthcare
To protect against ransomware threats at your healthcare organization, consider adopting these comprehensive security strategies:
Enhancing Cybersecurity Measures
Hackers take a multi-layered approach, and so should your cybersecurity efforts. To create a strong security posture, enable multiple layers of protection. For example, your organization should
- Provide ongoing employee training: Host regular sessions to educate staff on how to spot phishing attempts, recognize social engineering tactics, and follow proper data handling procedures.
- Implement strong access controls: Require multi-factor authentication and role-based access restrictions for all systems containing patient data.
- Maintain current security patches: Your IT team should update all systems regularly, prioritizing critical infrastructure and known vulnerabilities.
- Perform comprehensive endpoint protection: Your organization is only as secure as its least secure device. Deploy and maintain advanced antivirus and anti-malware solutions across all workstations, mobile devices, and medical equipment.
Data Backup and Recovery Plans
Secure, tested backups are your organization’s best bet when recovering from a ransomware attack. Consider following the 3-2-1 backup rule: Create three copies of data on two different media types and store one copy off-site. Additionally, ensure you regularly test your recovery procedures to ensure they perform as anticipated, allowing you to make adjustments as needed.
Protecting Against Ransomware
From patient portals and telehealth services to electronic health records, technology has transformed how healthcare organizations provide care. With this increasing reliance on technology comes the increasing need for robust cybersecurity efforts, including protection against ransomware.
Don’t make the mistake of treating ransomware protection as optional; with patient lives and data at stake, strong cybersecurity measures are as necessary as ensuring your medical equipment is sterilized before use. By implementing comprehensive security strategies and maintaining consistent data protection practices, your healthcare organization can focus on its core mission while keeping its digital assets secure.
Protect your healthcare organization from ransomware threats with tailored cybersecurity solutions. Xantrion’s managed services provide robust protection to safeguard patient data, ensure compliance, and minimize risks. Ready to strengthen your defenses? Contact Xantrion today to learn how we can help.
