5 Actions to Protect Your Practice Against Healthcare Ransomware

Is cybersecurity top of mind when it comes to managing your practice? There are many types of threats to digital systems that are foundational to healthcare practices—and ransomware is one of the most concerning.

Ransomware is a type of malicious software that attempts to deny access to the victim’s data, usually through encryption, until a ransom is paid. The rate of ransomware attacks on healthcare systems has nearly doubled since 2021, and the trend isn’t slowing down. In 2024, incidents reached a four-year high, with 67% of healthcare organizations affected, a value up from 60% in 2023.

Healthcare ransomware threats compromise patient data, disrupt operations, and lead to financial losses. It’s essential for practices to adopt protective measures to safeguard their systems from being accessed. Consider these five actions to address cybersecurity threats in healthcare.

Regular Data Backups

Regular data backups are a simple yet powerful way to protect your practice from ransomware attacks. Having a secure plan B for your data means you can restore and access files in the event of a threat without paying a ransom.

To keep your practice prepared, backups should be completed often and stored in multiple locations. Also, implement a regular testing schedule to check that your system is functioning properly. With this layered approach, your practice can stay ready and keep operations running smoothly in the event of a threat.

Beyond protecting against healthcare ransomware, backups also help practices follow privacy regulations. Encrypting backups and limiting access to essential staff adds an extra layer of security.

Employee Training and Awareness

Human error is a leading cause of ransomware incidents. Educating staff to identify and report phishing attacks helps prevent breaches. Training helps create a culture where your entire team is committed to keeping the practice safe. Cybersecurity threats in healthcare often succeed because people are unaware of the risks or are moving too fast and fall into the trap.

Employee training should be ongoing and include topics like email security, proper password habits, the importance of two-factor authentication, and recognizing suspicious links. By making cybersecurity training a regular part of your practice, your team can act as a united front to keep your systems and patient data safe.

Up-to-Date Security Systems

Practices are more at risk if they’re operating on old systems. Keeping software and security systems updated is vital for reducing vulnerabilities. Cybercriminals tend to seek out easy targets, and can exploit outdated software. This makes keeping systems up to date one of the easiest ways to protect against healthcare ransomware attacks.

Maintain your software by performing regular updates on your operating systems, antivirus programs, and security software to help close security gaps and curb cybersecurity threats in healthcare.

If you find your current system vendor slow to make critical security improvements, consider switching EHRs. Getting a technology developer to speed up its update velocity is near impossible. But transitioning to a more innovative system like WRS Health is often a quicker fix.

Network Segmentation

Network segmentation divides your computer network into smaller, isolated sections, limiting the spread of ransomware in the event of an attack. This approach can contain breaches and reduce the overall impact of an attack because the threat can’t easily spread to other areas of the practice. This strategy reduces damage and allows you to contain and address the issue.

You can also strengthen your network security by using firewalls, controlling who has access to your data and systems and where data is housed. For example, patient records can be kept separate from administrative files, and only authorized staff can reach sensitive areas. Not only does this tactic keep sensitive data safer, it also makes it easier to monitor for suspicious activity.

Incident Response Plan

A well-defined incident response plan is structured, poised to launch a swift response to a healthcare ransomware attack. Developing a plan, and training your team on a regular basis, helps prevent panic and confusion if your practice is threatened.

An effective response plan outlines clear steps for detecting, containing, and recovering from an attack. Be certain to identify who is responsible for responding, how to isolate infected systems, and when to notify authorities or cybersecurity experts. Practicing these steps through regular drills ensures that everyone knows what to do if an attack happens.

Beyond containment, the plan should also cover data recovery and communication. Patients and staff should be informed of a breach in a clear and timely manner to maintain trust and transparency. By preparing in advance, healthcare practices can reduce downtime, protect sensitive data, and minimize the overall impact of a ransomware attack.

WRS Health provides advanced security solutions to protect your practice against ransomware threats. Learn more today.

Protect Your Practice and Your Patients

With ransomware attacks and the utilization of technology on the rise, it is more critical than ever to implement comprehensive cybersecurity strategies. Be proactive, not reactive, when it comes to preparing for cybersecurity threats in healthcare.