The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have warned of tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) currently being used by cybercriminals against targets in the health care to infect systems with ransomware, notably Ryuk and Conti, for financial gain. Several hospitals across the country have already been affected.
These federal agencies “have credible information of an increased and imminent cybercrime threat” and are warning U.S. hospitals and health care providers so that appropriate and timely precautions can be taken against this type of attack.
Resources
For more information and suggested steps toward preventing these attacks, visit the resources listed below.
- Joint Cybersecurity Advisory: Ransomware Activity Targeting the Healthcare and Public Health Sector
- AMA’s Physician Cybersecurity Webpage
- AMA and the American Hospital Association (AHA) Technology Considerations for the Rest of 2020
Key Takeaways
- Malicious cyber actors are targeting the health care systems, which could disrupt health care services.
- The COVID-19 pandemic poses a substantial challenge and administrators need to assess this risk when evaluating cybersecurity investments.
