Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
3-28-2025
Abstract
Excerpt: The growing digitalization of healthcare has exposed hospitals to significant cybersecurity threats, particularly ransomware attacks. The Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center (HC3) reported that as of mid-2024, there were 730 cyber-attacks worldwide against healthcare institutions, with 530 targeting the U.S. (AHA, 2024). Half of these incidents involved ransomware, a type of malware that restricts access to critical data until a ransom is paid (HHS, 2021). Hospitals are attractive targets for cybercriminals due to their essential role in patient care. Cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities in hospital networks, often causing severe operational and financial damage. Factors such as understaffed IT teams, outdated security infrastructure, and the necessity of immediate patient care contribute to healthcare’s susceptibility to these attacks. This paper examines the extent to which ransomware attacks have impacted healthcare facilities, including financial repercussions, patient safety risks, and operational disruptions.
Recommended Citation
Dotson, M., Gorli, K., Coustasse, A. (March 28, 2025). Ransomware in Healthcare: Threats, Impacts, and Mitigation Strategies. . Appalachian Research in Business Symposium March 27-28, 2025. Marshall University, Huntington, WV.
Comments
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