Ransomware Attacks Hit Two Healthcare Institutions

Two major healthcare institutions, Frederick Health and New York Blood Center Enterprises (NYBCe), are currently dealing with the aftermath of separate ransomware attacks that occurred this past week.

Frederick Health’s Response to Ransomware Attack

Frederick Health recently identified a ransomware event and is working closely with third-party cybersecurity experts to contain the situation and bolster its healthcare cybersecurity programs. This comes after a United Healthcare subsidiary was targeted by the BlackCat ransomware group early last year, resulting in significant disruptions and outages in the healthcare sector, which was one of the worst breaches the sector has ever seen.

Prioritizing Immutable Backups for Healthcare Institutions

According to Renfrow, the key to preventing the kind of disruptions caused by ransomware attacks is to prioritize immutable backups with guaranteed return-to-operations (RTO). This is not just a recommended practice, but a necessity that must be tested and proven. By having such backups in place, healthcare organizations can restore operations immediately, without disruption, and without paying ransom.

The Importance of True Resilience in Healthcare

In today’s world, true resilience is the only security guarantee. Renfrow emphasizes the importance of prioritizing immutable backups and having a robust cybersecurity program in place to prevent and respond to ransomware attacks. By doing so, healthcare institutions can ensure their continuity of operations and protect their patients’ sensitive information.