Hospitals Targeted by Fake Ransom Threats Amid Cybersecurity Concerns
AHA
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Contributed by: Kate Gamble
Summary
Hospitals and health systems in the U.S. have been targeted by fraudulent data extortion letters purportedly from the Russian ransomware group BianLian, raising alarm among healthcare organizations and law enforcement. These letters threaten the disclosure of sensitive patient information unless a ransom is paid, yet they lack evidence of stolen data and reliable contact information. John Riggi from the American Hospital Association highlighted the unusual use of traditional mail for such extortion attempts and suggested these may be hoaxes. He urged recipients to report the letters to the FBI and to preserve them for forensic analysis, while the AHA continues to collaborate with law enforcement to address the ongoing cyber threats facing the healthcare sector.
