Ransomware attacks hit 34% of health care organizations around the world last year, 65% of which had their data encrypted, according to a Sophos study reported by MedCity News. Only 34% of those who said their data had been encrypted said they paid a ransom to recover their data, with ransom payments averaging almost $131,304, but only nearly 69% were able to restore encrypted data.
Sophos also found that 63% of those whose organizations have not experienced ransomware attacks in the previous year anticipate a future attack and 57% believed they will be attacked since other health organizations have already been targeted. Meanwhile, 65% of those without ransomware attack experience and did not expect future attacks reported having trained IT staff and 54% reported having technologies for combating ransomware attacks.
"The best way to stop a cyberattack from turning into a full breach is to prepare in advance," said researchers.
Sophos also found that 63% of those whose organizations have not experienced ransomware attacks in the previous year anticipate a future attack and 57% believed they will be attacked since other health organizations have already been targeted. Meanwhile, 65% of those without ransomware attack experience and did not expect future attacks reported having trained IT staff and 54% reported having technologies for combating ransomware attacks.
"The best way to stop a cyberattack from turning into a full breach is to prepare in advance," said researchers.
