Many healthcare organizations have invested millions of dollars building massive computer processors, data bases, and wired and wireless networks to connect people together. Their goal is to facilitate communication, improve workflows, improve quality, lower costs, and satisfy customers. But how much attention have these organizations given to protecting these investments from today’s cybercriminals? Apparently, not enough as evidenced by the growing incidents of cybercrime and ransomware in healthcare.

Today’s most devastating form of cybercrime is known as ransomware, where cybercriminals will hold an organization's data for ransom. No hospital or healthcare provider is immune to the operational chaos and potential financial ruin that can result from sudden cybercrime attacks. Health systems must take prudent steps to identify and address their IT security weaknesses to protect more thoroughly their invaluable data and financial assets from ransomware and other dangerous exposures now and in the future. Their very future depends on it. This presentation will outline concrete methods for mitigating the risk and vulnerability to ransomware.