# Ransomware * **Definition:** A type of malicious software that encrypts a victim's data and demands payment for the decryption key, effectively blocking access to the data until the ransom is paid. * **Taxonomy:** CTO Topics / Ransomware ## News * Selected news on the topic of **Ransomware**, for healthcare technology leaders * 9.2K news items are in the system for this topic * Posts have been filtered for tech and healthcare-related keywords | Date | Title | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | 5/19/2025 | [**What it's like to negotiate with ransomware gangs - Chief Healthcare Executive**](https://www.chiefhealthcareexecutive.com/view/what-it-s-like-to-negotiate-with-ransomware-gangs) | [[Chief Healthcare Executive]] | | 5/9/2025 | [**New $1 Trillion DOGE-Trolling Ransomware Attacks Confirmed - Forbes**](https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2025/05/09/new-1-trillion-doge-trolling-ransomware-attacks-confirmed/) | [[Forbes]] | | 5/8/2025 | [**VC firm Insight Partners confirms personal data stolen during January hack**](https://techcrunch.com/2025/05/08/vc-firm-insight-partners-confirms-personal-data-stolen-during-january-hack/) | [[TechCrunch]] | | 5/8/2025 | [**Ransomware group Lockbit appears to have been hacked, analysts say**](https://www.aol.com/news/ransomware-group-lockbit-appears-hacked-203518847.html) | [[AOL]] | | 4/23/2025 | [**March ransomware slowdown probably a red herring**](https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366622849/March-ransomware-slowdown-probably-a-red-herring) | [[Computer Weekly]] | | 4/21/2025 | [**Halcyon Launches First-Ever Dedicated Ransomware Threat Intelligence Bounty Program**](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/halcyon-launches-first-ever-dedicated-130000037.html) | [[Yahoo Finance]] | | 4/21/2025 | [**Ransomware Protection Solutions Market to Grow at Double-Digit CAGR, Reaching USD ...**](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ransomware-protection-solutions-market-to-grow-at-double-digit-cagr-reaching-usd-51-71-billion-by-2031--valuates-reports-302433529.html) | [[PR Newswire]] | | 3/18/2025 | [**Ransomware developer who targeted healthcare extradited to U.S.**](https://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/ransomware-developer-who-targeted-healthcare-extradited-us) | [[Healthcare Finance]] | | 3/18/2025 | [**Elastio Joins Veeam Infused Program as a Veeam Security Partner to Strengthen ... - Yahoo Finance**](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/elastio-joins-veeam-infused-program-140300958.html) | [[Yahoo Finance]] | | 3/5/2025 | [**Global Healthcare Cybersecurity Market is Expected to Showcase a Significant Growth at a CAGR ~18y 2032 - DelveInsight**](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/03/05/3037670/0/en/Global-Healthcare-Cybersecurity-Market-is-Expected-to-Showcase-a-Significant-Growth-at-a-CAGR-18-by-2032-DelveInsight.html) | [[Globe Newswire]] | | 3/5/2025 | [**Urychlenie rieseni s nativnou AI-Native, znasobenie uspechu: Huawei Cloud predstavil na ...**](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/urychlenie-rieeni-s-nativnou-ai-native-znasobenie-uspechu-huawei-cloud-predstavil-na-mwc-2025-nove-cloudove-sluby-a-rieenia-302393366.html) | [[PR Newswire]] | | 2/27/2025 | [**Morphisec Launches Ransomware-Free Guarantee, Offering Customers Peace of Mind with ...**](https://www.prweb.com/releases/morphisec-launches-ransomware-free-guarantee-offering-customers-peace-of-mind-with-anti-ransomware-assurance-302386118.html) | [[PRWeb]] | | 2/27/2025 | [**Ransomware defense company Mimic announced that it raised a $50M Series A ... - PR Newswire**](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ransomware-defense-company-mimic-announced-that-it-raised-a-50m-series-a-led-by-google-ventures--menlo-ventures-former-mandiant-ceo-kevin-mandia-joined-its-board-and-greg-davison-joined-as-head-of-revenue-302386830.html) | [[PR Newswire]] | | 2/26/2025 | [**Data Theft Drove 94f Global Cyberattacks in 2024 re Defenses are “Increasingly Complex”**](https://www.techrepublic.com/article/blackfog-ransomware-trend-report-2024/) | [[TechRepublic]] | | 2/25/2025 | [**Halcyon Launches Ransomware Detection and Recovery (RDR) to Combat ... - Yahoo Finance**](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/halcyon-launches-ransomware-detection-recovery-140000261.html) | [[Yahoo Finance]] | | 2/11/2025 | [**Searchlight Cyber Report Shows 38oY Increase in Active Dark Web Ransomware Groups**](http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250211424558/en/Searchlight-Cyber-Report-Shows-38-YoY-Increase-in-Active-Dark-Web-Ransomware-Groups/?feedref=JjAwJuNHiystnCoBq_hl-Q-tiwWZwkcswR1UZtV7eGe24xL9TZOyQUMS3J72mJlQ7fxFuNFTHSunhvli30RlBNXya2izy9YOgHlBiZQk2LOzmn6JePCpHPCiYGaEx4DL1Rq8pNwkf3AarimpDzQGuQ==) | [[Business Wire]] | | 1/14/2025 | [**Ministers consider ban on all UK public bodies making ransomware payments - Cybercrime**](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jan/14/ministers-consider-ban-on-all-uk-public-bodies-making-ransomware-payments) | [[The Guardian]] | | 12/29/2024 | [**Under siege: the escalating ransomware crisis in health care**](https://kevinmd.com/2024/12/under-siege-the-escalating-ransomware-crisis-in-health-care.html) | [[KevinMD]] | | 12/16/2024 | [**Ransomware Innovation: Fighting Back With New Strategies**](https://www.forbes.com/sites/heatherwishartsmith/2024/12/16/ransomware-innovation-fighting-back-with-new-strategies/) | [[Forbes]] | | 12/9/2024 | [**The Persistent Ransomware Threat: 2024 Trends And High-Profile Attacks - Forbes**](https://www.forbes.com/sites/heatherwishartsmith/2024/12/09/the-persistent-ransomware-threat-2024-trends-and-high-profile-attacks/) | [[Forbes]] | | 11/25/2024 | [**Halcyon Closes $100M Series C Funding Round at $1 Billion Valuation to Protect Society ...**](https://www.morningstar.com/news/business-wire/20241125117090/halcyon-closes-100m-series-c-funding-round-at-1-billion-valuation-to-protect-society-from-ransomware-disruption) | [[Morningstar]] | | 11/25/2024 | [**Halcyon Closes $100M Series C Funding Round at $1 Billion Valuation to Protect Society from Ransomware Disruption**](http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241125117090/en/Halcyon-Closes-100M-Series-C-Funding-Round-at-1-Billion-Valuation-to-Protect-Society-from-Ransomware-Disruption/?feedref=JjAwJuNHiystnCoBq_hl-Q-tiwWZwkcswR1UZtV7eGe24xL9TZOyQUMS3J72mJlQ7fxFuNFTHSunhvli30RlBNXya2izy9YOgHlBiZQk2LOzmn6JePCpHPCiYGaEx4DL1Rq8pNwkf3AarimpDzQGuQ==) | [[Business Wire]] | | 11/25/2024 | [**Halcyon Closes $100M Series C Funding Round at $1 Billion Valuation to Protect Society from Ransomware Disruption**](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/halcyon-closes-100m-series-c-140000569.html) | [[Yahoo Finance]] | | 8/27/2024 | [**5 Key Takeaways: Ransomware Attacks on Healthcare, Education, and Public Sector**](https://securityboulevard.com/2024/08/5-key-takeaways-ransomware-attacks-on-healthcare-education-and-public-sector/) | securityboulevard.com | | 5/22/2024 | [**Ransomware: 10 things hospital leaders should know**](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/ransomware-10-things-hospital-leaders-should-know.html) | [[Beckers Hospital Review]] | ## Topic Overview (Some LLM-derived content — please confirm with above primary sources) ### Key Players - **RansomHub**: An emerging ransomware-as-a-service operation that has become one of the most active groups in 2024. - **LockBit**: A notorious ransomware group known for its Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) model, contributing to the rise in cyber threats across various sectors, including healthcare. - **Everest**: A ransomware group targeting healthcare organizations, known for stealing sensitive patient information. - **Chainalysis**: Reported a record-breaking $1.1 billion in ransomware profits in 2023, indicating the ongoing threat of ransomware. - **BlackCat/ALPHV**: A ransomware group responsible for the attack on Change Healthcare, known for employing double extortion tactics. - **John Riggi**: Expert from the American Hospital Association, emphasizing the sophistication of ransomware groups targeting healthcare. - **Change Healthcare**: A healthcare organization that paid $22 million following a significant ransomware attack, highlighting the sector's vulnerability. - **AlphV**: A hacker group that orchestrated a significant ransomware attack on Change Healthcare. - **Claroty**: A cybersecurity company that highlights the financial impacts of ransomware on healthcare organizations. - **ALPHV/BlackCat**: A ransomware group responsible for the attack on Change Healthcare, known for stealing sensitive health information. - **NCC Group**: A cybersecurity consultancy that monitors and reports on emerging ransomware threats. - **Halcyon**: A leading anti-ransomware platform that has secured significant funding to enhance its cybersecurity solutions against ransomware threats. - **McLaren Health Care**: A healthcare system that experienced a major ransomware attack, leading to operational disruptions across multiple hospitals. - **Comparitech**: A research firm that reported significant financial losses and the increasing frequency of ransomware attacks in the healthcare sector. - **NetApp**: A technology company that offers autonomous ransomware protection powered by AI, achieving high detection rates for ransomware attacks. - **Mimic**: A company specializing in enterprise ransomware defense, recently raised $50 million in funding to enhance its detection and deflection capabilities. ### Partnerships and Collaborations - **Halcyon Ransomware Detection and Recovery**: A service included with Halcyon's Anti-Ransomware Platform, providing 24/7 threat monitoring and response. - **Evolve Bank & Trust**: A financial institution that suffered a ransomware attack affecting customer data. - **Ascension and Hospital Simone Veil**: Healthcare organizations that faced severe disruptions due to ransomware attacks. - **Operation Cronos**: A collaborative effort involving the UK’s National Crime Agency and nine other countries targeting the LockBit ransomware group. - **Halcyon and Distology**: Collaborated to enhance ransomware resilience and accelerate global growth. - **Mimic's Series A Funding**: Led by GV (Google Ventures) and Menlo Ventures, aimed at enhancing ransomware detection technology. - **CISA and FBI**: Collaborating to recommend new mitigation tactics against ransomware attacks, particularly those affecting the healthcare sector. - **BlackFog and Carahsoft Technology Corp.**: Partnered to provide AI-based ransomware prevention solutions to the public sector. - **Elastio and Magna5**: This partnership focuses on enhancing ransomware detection and rapid recovery capabilities. - **American Hospital Association and Health-ISAC**: Issued warnings for healthcare IT providers to enhance ransomware response plans, particularly regarding third-party supplier risks. - **Token and Cybersecurity Initiatives**: Token's smart ring integrates biometric technology to enhance security against ransomware and data breaches. - **Halcyon and Cisco**: Cisco Investments has made a strategic investment in Halcyon to accelerate its development and adoption of anti-ransomware solutions. - **Health Care Cybersecurity and Resiliency Act of 2024**: Legislation aimed at enhancing cybersecurity measures in healthcare through grants and improved coordination between federal agencies. - **Public-Private Partnerships**: Encouraged for sharing threat intelligence and improving overall security posture in healthcare. - **Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)**: Collaborates with healthcare organizations to enhance cybersecurity measures. - **TechTarget and Informa Tech**: Combined to create a vast network of online properties to disseminate reliable content on cybersecurity. - **Censinet and Healthcare Organizations**: Censinet's AI tools are designed to help healthcare organizations manage cybersecurity risks. - **Providence and Xsolis**: Collaborating to implement AI-driven operational efficiencies across hospitals. - **Sant Pau Hospital and Huawei**: Partnering to enhance digital transformation and data protection in healthcare. - **Sequoia Project**: Launched a Pharmacy Workgroup to enhance health IT interoperability. ### Innovations, Trends, and Initiatives - **Ransomware as a Service (RaaS)**: Emerging model allowing inexperienced hackers to deploy ransomware easily, increasing the frequency of attacks. - **Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS)**: Emergence of ransomware like Eldorado, allowing clients to create customized malware, complicating detection and mitigation efforts. - **Codefinger Ransomware**: Targets AWS users by exploiting server-side encryption, indicating a shift in ransomware tactics. - **Ransomware-as-a-Service Model**: Continues to evolve, with a 40% year-over-year increase in active threat groups. - **Emergence of Ymir Ransomware**: A new strain showcasing increased cooperation among threat actors, focusing on traditional single-extortion tactics. - **Ransomware Attack Trends**: Healthcare organizations are increasingly targeted, with predictions of rising attack rates driven by advancements in ransomware technology. - **Cloud-Native Ransomware Protection**: Eon has launched a cloud-native ransomware protection package to minimize operational disruptions. - **Ransomware Recovery Assurance**: Elastio's platform continuously inspects backup data for hidden threats, ensuring clean backups for recovery. - **Zero Trust Security**: Zscaler's report emphasizes the critical need for Zero Trust measures in combating ransomware. - **Automated Security Solutions**: Healthcare organizations are encouraged to adopt these solutions alongside human processes to mitigate ransomware risks. - **AI-Powered Ransomware Protection**: NetApp's ONTAP Autonomous Ransomware Protection with AI achieved a 99% detection accuracy, highlighting the trend towards AI in cybersecurity. - **Web3 Technologies**: Emerging in healthcare for improved data security and interoperability, despite ongoing ransomware threats. - **AI in Cybersecurity**: Healthcare organizations are increasingly adopting AI-driven threat detection to combat rising ransomware attacks. - **Isolated Recovery Environments (IREs)**: Recommended by Epic to enhance patient safety and ensure business continuity against ransomware attacks. - **Zero Trust Segmentation**: A security approach introduced by Zscaler to enhance protection against ransomware attacks by minimizing access to sensitive data. - **User and Entity Behavioral Analytics (UEBA)**: Highlighted as a critical tool for monitoring access patterns to storage systems and mitigating ransomware attacks. ### Challenges and Concerns - **Patient Safety Risks**: Ransomware attacks disrupt critical healthcare services, posing serious risks to patient safety and care continuity. - **Ransomware Payments Legislation**: Proposals in the UK to ban ransomware payments for public sector organizations could complicate recovery efforts. - **Increasing Ransom Payments**: Experts predict record-breaking ransomware profits in 2024, with victims paying increasingly large ransoms, including eight-figure sums. - **Impact on Patient Care**: Ransomware attacks lead to significant reductions in patient admissions and emergency department visits, affecting healthcare delivery. - **Rising Ransomware Attacks**: Healthcare systems are experiencing a significant increase in ransomware incidents, with a reported 15% rise last year. - **Increased Ransomware Attacks**: Healthcare organizations face unprecedented challenges with record highs in ransomware incidents and payments. - **Sophistication of Attacks**: Cybercriminals are employing more sophisticated techniques, including AI-driven methods, to execute ransomware attacks. - **Regulatory Compliance Risks**: Ransomware attacks can lead to financial losses due to regulatory non-compliance, impacting patient care and safety. - **Data Theft Focus**: Ransomware attackers are increasingly threatening to leak or sell stolen data, making data exfiltration a significant concern. - **Regulatory Concerns**: Proposed laws in the U.K. to ban ransomware payments could complicate incident response efforts. - **Data Breaches and Ransomware Attacks**: The healthcare sector is increasingly targeted, with ransomware incidents doubling from 2022 to 2023, leading to severe financial and operational impacts. - **Financial Impact on Rural Hospitals**: Rural hospitals face severe financial losses during ransomware downtimes, averaging $1.9 million per day. - **Recovery Difficulties**: Only 22% of healthcare ransomware victims recover within a week, with many taking over a month, reflecting the growing complexity of attacks. - **Vulnerability of Rural Hospitals**: Rural hospitals face greater negative consequences from ransomware attacks due to financial instability and lack of resources. - **Legal Challenges**: A significant rise in ransomware-related lawsuits indicates increasing legal challenges for businesses, particularly in healthcare. - **Financial Impact**: U.S. healthcare organizations have suffered an estimated $21.9 billion in downtime losses due to ransomware attacks over the past six years. - **Third-Party Risks**: Ransomware attacks on third-party vendors have led to significant operational disruptions, emphasizing the need for robust third-party risk management. - **Regulatory Pressures**: Healthcare organizations face significant regulatory pressures, which can exacerbate the impacts of ransomware attacks. - **Legal and Compliance Implications**: Organizations often overlook the legal ramifications of ransomware attacks, necessitating the involvement of legal counsel in incident response. ## Related Topics [[Ransomware Attacks]]; [[Ransomware Threats]]