The devastating toll of a ransomware attack on the health of hospital patients

Against data theft and ransomware attacks healthcare and critical third-party vendors will still occur at an alarming rate in 2024, which will be as severe as last year’s worst ever for healthcare breaches.

You may remember the Ascension ransomware attack of May, one of the most devastating incidents in the healthcare sector, causing major problems for patients.

A new report from Microsoft highlights that these attacks not only lead to data theft, but also endanger the physical health of patients.

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Microsoft points out that, in addition to the financial risk to healthcare organizations, ransomware attacks can have life-threatening consequences. When healthcare providers lose access to diagnostic equipment or patient records due to ransomware, patient care is seriously disrupted. For example, the number of stroke codes nearly doubles during hospital attacks: the number of confirmed strokes increases by 113.6%, cardiac arrest rates increase by 81%, and survival rates drop from 40% to just 4.5%.

Healthcare facilities near hospitals affected by ransomware attacks are also feeling the impact as they face a surge of patients needing urgent care that they may not be equipped to provide. As a result, patients often experience longer wait times.

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What is more disturbing is that these attacks are not limited to urban areas. Rural health clinics are also a prime target for cyber attacks. These facilities are particularly vulnerable to ransomware because they often lack the resources to prevent or respond to security incidents. And since these clinics are the only health care option within miles, a successful attack could be devastating to many rural communities.

Healthcare ransomware attack exposes personal health information of more than 100 million people

Ransomware attacks on healthcare have increased 300% since 2015, making it one of the top 10 most targeted industries in Q2 2024. This increase is mainly due to healthcare organizations storing and storing highly sensitive data hackers know there is a lot of money be made. With lives at stake, hospitals cannot risk poor patient outcomes if their systems fail or the disclosure of patient data if they do not pay. This reputation for paying ransoms only makes healthcare an even bigger target.

Some of the blame also lies with healthcare organizations. They typically have lower cybersecurity budgets than other industries, making it more difficult to defend against these types of attacks. Many facilities do not have staff dedicated to cybersecurity; Some don’t even have a Chief Information Security Officer or a Security Operations Center. Instead, cybersecurity is often lumped in with regular IT tasks. Additionally, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers may not receive cybersecurity training, so they may not even recognize a cybersecurity problem phishing email when they see one.

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Nearly 1 million Medicare beneficiaries are experiencing data breaches

With the increase in cyber attacks on healthcare providers, it is wise to take proactive steps to protect your personal information and be prepared for potential healthcare disruptions:

1. Stay informed: Stay up to date with the latest news from your healthcare providers and trusted sources to stay informed of any disruptions or data breaches impacting systems and services.

2. Maintain personal health records: Keep copies of your medical records on your own devices or print them out, including details such as medications, allergies, previous surgeries and other relevant health information. This can be critical if electronic health records are temporarily unavailable.

3. Prepare for medical emergencies: Have a backup plan for emergencies, including knowing alternative health care facilities nearby. Research wait times and accessibility to avoid delays if your primary facility is affected.

4. Practice cybersecurity best practices: Use strong, unique passwords for online accounts and consider a password manager to help manage them. Enable two-factor authentication where available to add an extra layer of security.

5. Be vigilant against phishing: Cyber attacks often result in a spike in phishing emails and calls as attackers exploit the situation. Protect yourself by using powerful antivirus software on all your devices, which can help block malicious links and detect phishing emails. The best way to protect yourself from malicious links that install malware and potentially gain access to your private data is to install antivirus software on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware attacks, keeping your personal data and digital assets safe. Discover my picks for the best antivirus protection winners of 2024 for your Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.

6. Confirm appointments: If you have appointments or procedures, contact your healthcare provider to confirm or reschedule if a cyber attack disrupts their normal operations.

7. Monitor patient portals: Monitor patient portals such as MyChart for updates on your medical records and communications with healthcare providers, as they can provide crucial information during service disruptions.

The hidden cost of free apps: your personal information

The increase in ransomware attacks on healthcare is alarming and a reminder that criminals do not care about the lives at stake. They are only after money. Healthcare organizations must learn the lessons of the past two years, invest heavily in cybersecurity infrastructure and hire dedicated staff to protect patient data and systems. With stronger defenses, the goal is to prevent these situations from reaching the point where paying a ransom is even considered.

Have you ever experienced delays or problems with healthcare due to a cyber attack or system failure? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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Original article source: The devastating toll of a ransomware attack on the health of hospital patients