Last week, theFBI warnedthat hackers could be targeting the healthcare and public health sector with ransomware.
Such an assault could shut down hospitals that are already under strain from the coronavirus.
Health centers have not prepared sufficiently for such attacks, experts say.
Luis Diaz Devesa / Getty Images
“A ransomware attack on a hospital or healthcare organization often involves a kinetic impact as patients are diverted.
This potential impact on patient care increases the likelihood that organizations will pay the ransom.”
We found that 66% of hospitals do not meet the minimum security requirements as outlined by the NIST.
Suebsiri Srithanyarat / EyeEm / Getty Images
The ransomware, called Ryuk,affected at least five US hospitalslast week.
An attack in Septembercrippled 250 facilitiesof the hospital chain Universal Health Services.
Employees were forced to use paper for records and lab work was impeded.
This potential impact on patient care increases the likelihood that organizations will pay the ransom.
Not all experts agree that hospitals arent prepared for cyberattacks, however.
Lets hope they dont have to go back to paper and pencil to record COVID-19 test results.
