Which type of security threat is commonly faced by healthcare organizations?

Healthcare organizations frequently encounter ransomware attacks on their health information systems due to the sensitive nature of the data they manage and the increasing sophistication of cyber threats. Ransomware is a type of malicious software that restricts access to a computer system or data, typically by encrypting files and demanding a ransom payment for the decryption key.

The healthcare sector has become a lucrative target for cybercriminals because it often contains high-value personal health information (PHI) that can be exploited for financial gain. Moreover, healthcare organizations may be more likely to pay the ransom quickly to restore access to critical systems and continue providing care to patients, which further incentivizes such attacks.

While identity theft of patients, unauthorized access from patients, and data loss due to physical damage are also significant concerns, the rise of ransomware specifically poses an immediate operational threat that disrupts healthcare delivery and impacts patient safety, which explains why it is particularly prominent in discussions of security threats within healthcare settings.