A JAMA study of 374 ransomware attacks shows the annual number of these attacks on health care delivery organizations more than doubled from 2016 to 2021, exposing the personal health information of nearly 42 million patients. 289 healthcare organizations were attacked last year alone. During the study period, ransomware attacks exposed larger quantities of personal health information and grew more likely to affect large organizations with multiple facilities.
The study results suggest that ransomware attacks on health care delivery organizations are increasing in frequency and sophistication; disruptions to care during ransomware attacks may threaten patient safety and outcomes.
Current monitoring/reporting efforts provide limited information and could be expanded to potentially yield a more complete view of how this growing form of cybercrime affects the delivery of health care. Read more.
