So you’ve been hit with a ransomware attack. What now?

The COVID-19 crisis has created opportunities for cybercriminals to target healthcare systems. The recent cyberattack on Universal Health Services, which is potentially the largest in U.S. history, highlights the need for organizations to protect themselves. Experts suggest that employees should be trained to recognize and respond quickly to ransomware attacks. They should disconnect their machines from the network, record details of the ransom note, identify the source of the attack, and take appropriate security measures such as activating privileged access management and implementing zero trust policies. Backing up data offline and contacting law enforcement are also recommended, although paying the ransom is generally discouraged. Prevention and preparation, including maintaining strong cybersecurity hygiene, implementing multi-layered security measures, and conducting regular testing, are crucial in mitigating the risk of ransomware attacks in the healthcare industry.