Ransomware Attack on Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Centre - NTU

Company Information

IBRCN is part of the School of Biological Sciences and Chemical Engineering at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), which is a research-intensive public university in Singapore. The university is renowned for its emphasis on research and innovation, aiming to generate knowledge and technology for societal benefit.

Vulnerabilities and Impact

Ransomware attacks pose significant threats to healthcare institutions, leading to the loss of technology access, complete computer system downtime, and the disruption of email and internal communication systems. For IBRCN, such an attack could hinder research activities and potentially impact healthcare service delivery.

Previous Ransomware Attacks in Healthcare

The healthcare sector has seen an uptick in ransomware incidents, notably the WannaCry virus outbreak that compromised over 80 hospitals in the UK's National Health Service in 2017. These incidents can cause substantial financial and operational setbacks, as evidenced by a September 2020 attack impacting over 200 facilities in the US, incurring a $67 million loss for the health system involved.

Mitigating Ransomware Attacks

To reduce the risk of ransomware attacks, healthcare entities must enhance their technical systems' resilience to cyber threats, elevate cybersecurity awareness, and develop healthcare systems that can withstand ransomware and other cyberattacks.

The ransomware attack on IBRCN at NTU underscores the escalating cyber threat landscape facing healthcare institutions. With the increasing dependency on digital systems in healthcare, prioritizing cybersecurity and adopting comprehensive protective measures is imperative for safeguarding against such threats.

Sources

• Nanyang Technological University. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from https://www.ntu.edu.sg/about-us
• IntechOpen. (n.d.). Ransomware and Academic International Medicine. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/71371
• National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2023). Ransomware Attack Associated With Disruptions at Adjacent Emergency Departments in the US. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10167570/
• Tufts Now. (2024, April 9). Why Are Ransomware Attacks Targeting Health Care Providers? Retrieved April 10, 2024, from https://now.tufts.edu/2024/04/09/why-are-ransomware-attacks-targeting-health-care-providers