New Ponemon Institute research reveals that ransomware attacks on healthcare organizations have life-threatening consequences, including increased patient mortality rates, and highlights how COVID-19 has weakened healthcare cybersecurity defenses.
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The Ponemon Institute’s research, commissioned by Censinet, uncovers the devastating impact of ransomware on healthcare delivery organizations (HDOs): Nearly 1 in 4 providers reported an increase in patient mortality rates' due to ransomware attacks. Ransomware causes delays in procedures, complications during medical care, and longer patient stays, all of which jeopardize patient safety. COVID-19 has worsened the situation by introducing new vulnerabilities and straining healthcare resources.
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly weakened healthcare organizations’ ability to defend against cyber threats due to: Remote Work: New systems and infrastructure increased the attack surface. Staffing Challenges: Reduced staffing left organizations less prepared to address cybersecurity threats. Increased Care Demands: Higher patient volumes and care requirements diverted resources from cybersecurity operations.These challenges have left healthcare organizations more vulnerable to ransomware attacks.
The Ponemon Institute research outlines several serious ways ransomware affects patient care: Higher Mortality Rates: Ransomware-related disruptions can delay urgent care, leading to preventable deaths. Complications During Procedures: Disruptions to critical systems can lead to worse outcomes during medical care. Delays in Tests and Treatments: Ransomware attacks frequently cause delays in delivering care, impacting patient health. Patient Transfers and Diversions: Patients are often transferred to other facilities, delaying care further. Extended Patient Stays: Operational inefficiencies caused by cyberattacks result in longer hospital stays.
The Ponemon report highlights the “perfect storm” created by the combination of ransomware, data breaches, and COVID-19: Healthcare organizations must act urgently to BOLD 'transform their cybersecurity and third-party risk management programs' or risk: Jeopardizing patient lives. Compromising care delivery. Suffering financial losses from recovery efforts and ransom payments.
The report identifies actions healthcare organizations are taking to strengthen their cybersecurity posture: Implementing Robust Defenses: Strengthening their cybersecurity programs to prevent ransomware attacks. Identifying Gaps in Security: Assessing and addressing weaknesses in cybersecurity program maturity. Monitoring and Mitigating Risks: Continuously tracking risks to reduce the likelihood of cyber incidents. Educating Staff: Training employees to recognize and respond to cyber threats effectively.
Ransomware attacks are particularly harmful in the healthcare sector because: They disrupt critical systems used for patient care, such as electronic medical records and diagnostic tools. They cause delays in care, which can have life-threatening outcomes. Healthcare organizations often face financial strain from ransom payments and recovery efforts.