The Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center (HC3) warned hospitals about the need to protect their EHRs from cybercriminals and ransomware groups in an April 6 report.
EHRs are valuable targets for ransomware organizations because of the personal health information they contain that can be sold for high profits on the dark web. HC3 named BlackCat (also known as AlphaV), LockBit 3.0, Black Basta and Royal as ransomware gangs targeting PHI in EHRs.
"Electronic medical/health records will continue to be a significant part of the healthcare industry, so utilizing all resources to protect PII/PHI is key," the report said. "In the years to come, EMRs/EHRs will be enhanced with significant growth in internet of things devices, big data technology and telehealth systems, and digitization will become a core offering in healthcare institutions."