Ransomware Attacks on the Healthcare Industry

Abstract

The increase of cybersecurity threats poses a significant risk to the healthcare industry, specifically, healthcare organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and clinics. The increase in the development of smart medical equipment and mobile devices has made the healthcare industry increasingly vulnerable to ransomware, one of the most dangerous types of adaptable malware, intended to prevent entry to the system of an entity or establishment. Cybersecurity breaches consist of illegally obtaining healthcare data and ransomware events involving healthcare organizations. The healthcare industry has taken advantage of the rise of the digital revolution, resulting in unparalleled volumes of data. The healthcare industry is one of the most vital in the world, and thus, CEOs of healthcare organizations should adhere to proposed best practices to establish a strong cyberhygiene that facilitates the efficient distribution of confidential information in the face of these threats. This systematic review of the literature thought to determine how healthcare organizations in the United States protect themselves from cyber-attack. EBook Collection (EBSCO), Google Scholar, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed, SocINDEX with Full Text, and ScienceDirect databases were explored to answer this question. Identified themes include employee training, the need for a response plan, and strong data infrastructure.