A Matter of Life and Death
In healthcare, a cyberattack isn’t just a data breach; it can stop surgeries and divert ambulances. **Ransomware** attacks on US hospitals have surged, encrypting critical patient files until a ransom is paid.
Why Hospitals?
Hospitals have critical, time-sensitive data and often run legacy systems (like MRI machines running Windows 7) that are hard to patch. Attackers know they are likely to pay to save lives.
Defense Strategies
1. Network Segmentation
Guest Wi-Fi, HVAC systems, and medical devices should not be on the same network as the EHR database. Segmentation stops malware from spreading laterally.
2. Immutable Backups
Backups that are ‘air-gapped’ or stored in a write-once format cannot be encrypted by ransomware. This allows hospitals to restore systems without paying the criminals.
3. Employee Training
Phishing emails are the #1 entry point. Regular simulations and training for doctors and nurses on how to spot suspicious emails are the most effective firewall.
Conclusion
Cybersecurity is patient safety. US Healthcare CIOs must treat digital hygiene with the same rigor as surgical sterility.
