Ransomware Attacks

Ransomware at UK healthcare p

New data has shown the growing risk of ransomware to British and Irish healthcare providers.

KnowBe4, the provider of the world’s largest security awareness training and simulated phishing platform, has released a new report showing the increasing impact cyber crime has on the Irish and UK healthcare sectors, entitled ‘Rising Threat Of Malware Attacks In Ireland And United Kingdom Healthcare Sectors’

KnowBe4’s report details the rise of malicious attacks, financial costs, recovery efforts and other detrimental impacts cyber attacks have on Irish and UK healthcare sectors.

The report outlines contributing aspects to these attacks including the cost of one wrong click, the region-wide weakness, rising cyber attacks in the recent year, emerging threats from state-aligned groups and the importance of strengthening the human firewall. Key findings include:

● UK organisations collectively experienced a surge in cyber attacks in 2022, with a 77% increase over 2021 Healthcare was the third most frequently targeted sector, with an increase of 74%.

● The impact of breaches is proving to be more far-reaching in terms of cost and time than previously thought. Organisations could be paying off the debt of a breach for many years to come. Therefore, stopping attacks becomes an even greater priority.

● Although some organisations may have a poor starting point, changing the overall security culture and investing in a solid security awareness training strategy can provide a rapid return on investment and significantly reduce risk

● A survey of 100 cybersecurity managers in the UK health sector found that 81% of healthcare organisations in the UK had been hit by ransomware in the previous year 38% of the healthcare organisations attacked paid a ransom demand to get their files back. 44% refused to pay a demand and lost their healthcare data as a result. Close to two-thirds (64%) of respondents admitted their organisation has had to cancel in-person appointments because of a cyber attack

● Ransomware continues to be a menace, with the geopolitical climate creating an increasingly tricky situation for organisations to stay ahead of