If your business has any connection or affiliation to the health care industry, be advised, Cyber Attacks are Targeting Hospitals. The FBI and the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) are warning in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services warning of an “Increased and Imminent Cybercrime Threat.”
According to the joint statement, the agency directors warn hackers worldwide are specifically targeting Hospitals with the Ryuk ransomware strain and are urging IT professionals in the industry to be both watchful and even more vigilant than usual.
The government agencies also spelled out a list of specific action steps your company can take to prepare for a Ryuk attack.
These things include items such as:
- Install the latest security patches for Windows and the other software.
- Review your incident response plan or don’t yet have one, making one as quickly as possible. Come up with strategies to redirect your patients in the event of a successful attack.
- Make sure your backups are current.
- Limit personal email/employee education about email.
One of the less apparent recommendations was that all devices’ internet connections are off when not in use to spare those devices in the event of an attack.
Three big, well-known, well-respected government agencies are saying the hospitals’ attacks are much more likely in the weeks and months ahead.
Be sure your staff is on high alert and that your network is as secure as you can reasonably make it, with contingency plans in place if the worst happens.
Stay vigilant out there.
