A global survey indicates over a third of health institutions reported experiencing at least one ransomware attack in the last year, with many paying ransoms. Such attacks cause disruption and potential harm to patients, whilst negatively impacting trust in health services. The increasing digitalisation of healthcare and vulnerability of health data has made the sector a top target. The WHO is working to support nations to counteract the threat. Challenges include disrupted operations, delayed medical care, and huge financial burdens. The need for international cooperation and measures to prevent such attacks were stressed.
New EU Commission to come up with healthcare cybersecurity plan
The European Commission’s new focus will be strengthening the EU’s healthcare sector against cyber-attacks, with a 100-day plan to initiate implementation of cybersecurity regulations. Cost
