NHS could have avoided WannaCry hack with ‘basic IT security’, says report | Malware

The National Health Service (NHS) could have avoided the massive impact caused by the unsophisticated WannaCry ransomware attack last May if it had followed basic cyber security best practices. An investigation by the National Audit Office (NAO) revealed that 19,500 appointments were cancelled because of the attack, which shut down computers in 600 clinics and resulted in diversions of ambulances from five hospitals. The Department of Health was unable to determine the cost of the attack.