Healthcare needs to prepare for Ransomware 2.0

Editor's Note

Cybersecurity experts are warning that Ransomware 2.0 is coming, and healthcare needs to be prepared, the August 8 Healthcare IT News reports.

Ransomware 2.0 combines ransomware with a worm, which allows it to move laterally or across internal and external networks.

Because the next wave of attacks will likely target the Internet of Things and medical devices that lack sufficient protections, medical devices need to be better controlled for malware threats and software vulnerabilities, the report says.

It is critical that healthcare organizations apply fundamental information security principles to protect their patients and have a well-vetted cybersecurity plan in place before Ransomware 2.0 hits.

Some cybersecurity experts say healthcare has only dealt with "Ransomware 1.0" to date, which begs the question: How much worse will "Ransomware 2.0" be for a sector already under siege?