Hello, my dear friends! I hope you’re all doing well. My name is Anne Neuberger and since 2021, I’ve been guiding the United States on matters of national security in relation to cyber and new-age technologies. Currently, ransomware attacks are a significant area of focus, especially their impact on healthcare systems.
Allow me to discuss the issue of ransomware further. It probably won’t shock you that these attacks could potentially pose a threat to international peace and security. They disrupt daily societal functions and even place innocent lives in danger.
A few months ago, we were urged to reflect on the pros and cons of the digital age, during a high-level debate on Evolving Threats in Cyberspace. This very digital connect which has enriched our societies has the flip side of subjecting us to cybersecurity threats, particularly ransomware.
This threat is a significant one as indicated by the staggering increase in ransomware-related incidents over the past five years. In 2023, around 1,500 such incidents were reported in the U.S, where victims coughed up over $1.1 billion. This issue is planet-wide.
Ransomware attacks have hit places like Japan, the United Kingdom, South Africa and many more. In 2024, over half of the global ransomware attacks targeted victims in the U.S., while the rest occurred across the globe. This issue demands attention, and healthcare and emergency services are unfortunately one of the top targets of such attacks.
What’s the real impact of a ransomware attack on hospitals, you ask? Well, it could mean a delay in emergency services, surgeries being put off, important treatments being postponed and patient data being breached. If blood banks fall victim to such attacks, one can only imagine the dire consequences.
Here’s a grim reality – ransomware attacks have been connected to the loss of several lives, based on various studies in the U.S.Medicare system from 2016 to 2021. Recent data indicates a spike in mortality rates in hospitals, following cyber disruptions.
As an international community, we need to break the monotony of this continuous cyber-crime spree. We believe in the power of unity and combating these threats collectively. Therefore, an International Counter Ransomware Initiative was launched back in 2021. The initiative focuses on disrupting ransomware attacks, enhancing the security of critical infrastructure and fortifying the incident response abilities of our partners.
While we actively strive to disrupt these cybercrimes with our law enforcement, we are working towards making ransomware attacks less appealing. We’re urging other states to also support this cause and refuse to pay ransom ransoms.
We expect each country to follow the guidelines of the Framework for Responsible State Behaviour in Cyberspace. This framework urges states to not knowingly let their territories be used for digital wrongdoings.
Let me give you an example. If a country experiences a ransomware attack on their hospitals from foreign actors, the country of origin of these actors is expected to act responsibly and ensure that such activities are curbed. Despite these guidelines, some states, like Russia, are unfortunately harboring cybercriminals.
My friends, it’s a call to action for all of us. We must collectively wipe out this menace by standing united, adhering to our shared principles, refusing to give in to cybercriminals, and helping each other track down these miscreants.
We appreciate your time and attention. Let’s continue working towards a safer, secure cyber world. Cheers!
by Parker Bytes
