Healthcare Ransomware Attacks: How to Prevent and Respond Effectively

Healthcare ransomware attacks are now one of the most common and costly cyberthreats, with hospitals, clinics and insurance providers increasingly in hackers’ crosshairs. Patient records, life-saving systems and critical operations can all be locked down in minutes, disrupting care and putting lives at risk.

As healthcare becomes a key target for cybercriminals, strong anti ransomware defense is essential to protect patients’ most sensitive data, keep critical operations running and avoid financial losses.

Healthcare ransomware attacks use malware to encrypt important data and hold it hostage until a ransom is paid. This can disrupt critical operations such as access to electronic health records (EHR) and the operation of medical devices. Healthcare data security is jeopardized due to the high value of health information on cybercrime forums and networks.

Some of the largest and costliest ransomware attacks in history have targeted this sector. For example, the attack on Change Healthcare in 2024 is estimated to have cost the company $2.457 billion, as well as impacting over 190 million patients.

Recent figures from IBM also note that healthcare breaches remain the most expensive across all industries, averaging $7.42 million. Breaches in this sector also take the longest to identify and contain at 279 days – more than five weeks longer than the global average of 241 days.

There are several reasons why ransomware gangs see healthcare as an ideal target. Hospitals, clinics and research institutions operate under immense pressure and even brief disruptions can put patient care at risk. This urgency often forces rapid and costly responses, with many organizations seeing payments as the quickest way to restore operations.

There are also technical reasons why these institutions are at risk of ransomware. Key vulnerabilities include:

• Outdated legacy systems: Many facilities still run unsupported software, leaving unpatched security holes.
• Interconnected supply chains: Shared systems with insurers, labs and partners widen the attack surface.
• Proliferation of IoT devices: From infusion pumps to imaging machines, many medical devices lack strong security.
• Rapid telehealth expansion: Cloud-based platforms and remote access have increased potential entry points for hackers.
• High-value data: Electronic health records contain detailed personal, financial and medical data prized on the dark web.
• Inadequate training: Healthcare employees are often not thoroughly trained on cybersecurity threats to look out for.

This combination of mission-critical operations, complex networks and valuable data makes healthcare uniquely vulnerable. Indeed, according to BlackFog’s research, this sector was the number one target for hackers in Q2 2025.

In most instances, healthcare ransomware attacks will interrupt critical services like appointments and treatments. This can disrupt systems in ways that directly affect patient safety and service delivery. Common consequences include:

• Service disruption: Shutdown of EHR systems, imaging equipment and scheduling platforms.
• Delayed or cancelled care: Postponed surgeries, treatments and diagnostics.
• Patient safety risks: Miscommunication of test results or treatment plans.
• Financial damage: Costs from recovery, ransom payments and lost revenue.
• Regulatory penalties: Fines for HIPAA or GDPR violations.

For healthcare providers, these impacts go beyond financial loss, striking at the core mission of delivering timely, life-saving care.

Preventing healthcare ransomware attacks is not a simple task. However, risks can be reduced with a proactive, layered defense that addresses both technology and human factors. Regular software updates and strong access controls are essential, but these must be part of a broader security framework.

Healthcare organizations should:

• Maintain up-to-date systems: Apply patches promptly to operating systems, applications and network-connected medical devices.
• Deliver targeted staff training: Focus on recognizing phishing attempts, handling suspicious emails and reporting anomalies quickly.
• Implement multi-factor authentication: Protect remote access and privileged accounts with an additional verification step.
• Control access to critical systems: Limit permissions so staff can only access the data and applications necessary for their roles.
• Conduct regular backups: Store backups offline, encrypt them and test recovery processes frequently.
• Segment networks: Isolate key systems such as EHR databases from other IT infrastructure to restrict ransomware spread.
• Deploy advanced threat detection: Use endpoint detection and anti data exfiltration (ADX) to block malicious activity in real-time.

When a healthcare ransomware attack occurs, quick action is critical. Healthcare providers should isolate infected systems and notify IT and security teams. Coordination with law enforcement and legal experts is also vital when considering whether to pay the ransom. After the attack, restoring backups and conducting system audits is essential. A detailed ransomware recovery plan for healthcare organizations will minimize disruption and ensure patient safety.

Immediate response steps include the following:

• Isolate infected systems and notify IT.
• Contact law enforcement and legal experts.
• Evaluate the risks of paying the ransom.
• Restore data from backups and audit systems.
• Execute a ransomware recovery plan.

In addition, there are several non-technical steps that must be enacted as soon as ransomware is detected. This includes crisis communications and setting in motion contingency plans to ensure patient safety and continuing service, which may necessitate switching to paper operations in order to resume care protocols.

Federal agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the FBI, have acknowledged the severity of healthcare ransomware attacks. They provide guidance and resources to mitigate these risks. HIPAA remains a well-known regulatory framework, with penalties for mishandling ransomware attacks. Federal grants are also available to improve cybersecurity for hospitals and ensure better defenses.

To ensure firms are as protected as possible, it pays to keep these key points in mind:

• Federal agencies like HHS and the FBI can provide cybersecurity support.
• HIPAA outlines specific ransomware response guidelines organizations should follow.
• Federal funding is available to assist in improving cybersecurity for hospitals.

BlackFog provides an advanced solution focused on preventing data exfiltration with ADX technology. Designed to safeguard against ransomware attacks 24/7 without the need for human intervention, BlackFog strengthens your cybersecurity posture and protects your organization’s most valuable asset – patient data.

Don’t wait for the next ransomware attack wave – act now to protect your most important assets. See how our solutions improve your cybersecurity posture and prevent ransomware attacks.