Preparing for a ransomware attack is now a mission-critical priority for healthcare organizations. Ransomware incidents can disrupt clinical operations, delay patient care, expose sensitive health data, and create significant regulatory and financial consequences. As healthcare ecosystems become more digitally connected, building ransomware resilience requires more than reactive controls. It demands structured preparation, tested response plans, and validated assurance.

Learn about a practical, healthcare-specific roadmap to help organizations prepare for a ransomware attack, mitigate its impact, and recover effectively when prevention alone is not enough.

Understanding the ransomware threat landscape

What is ransomware and how does it work?

Ransomware is a type of malicious software that encrypts systems or data, making them inaccessible until a ransom is paid, often accompanied by threats to publicly release stolen data. In healthcare, ransomware attacks frequently target electronic health records (EHRs), imaging systems, scheduling platforms, billing applications, and connected medical devices.

Modern ransomware attacks often use double or triple extortion tactics, combining system encryption with data exfiltration and denial-of-service threats. This significantly raises the stakes for healthcare providers, where downtime and data exposure can directly impact patient safety.

Why ransomware attacks are on the rise

In 2025, 8.9 million health care records were compromised due to ransomware. Healthcare remains one of the most targeted sectors for ransomware due to the high value of protected health information (PHI), the complexity of clinical environments, and the limited tolerance for operational disruption. Many organizations rely on legacy systems, third-party vendors, and cloud platforms that expand the attack surface faster than security programs can mature.

For a deeper look at why this issue continues to escalate, explore the ransomware threat and its growing impact across regulated industries.

Common entry points and attack vectors

Most ransomware incidents begin with well-known weaknesses, including

• Third-party vendor or cloud service provider compromises
• Phishing emails targeting clinicians and administrative staff
• Compromised credentials and weak identity controls
• Unpatched systems and outdated software

Understanding these entry points is a foundational step in any effort to prepare for a ransomware attack.

Core strategies for ransomware preparedness

Conducting risk assessments

A ransomware risk assessment helps healthcare organizations identify critical systems, data flows, and dependencies most likely to be targeted or disrupted. This includes evaluating

• Availability and integrity of EHR systems
• Clinical workflow dependencies and downtime tolerance
• Third-party and cloud service risks
• Backup coverage for mission-critical assets

These assessments should be integrated into broader enterprise risk management programs and aligned with recognized cybersecurity frameworks for ransomware.

Building a robust incident response plan

A documented ransomware response plan is essential for minimizing confusion and downtime during an attack. Healthcare-specific plans should clearly define

• Decision-making authority during an incident
• Communication protocols with clinicians, leadership, regulators, and patients
• Coordination with legal counsel, cyber insurers, and incident response partners
• Criteria for system isolation, clinical workarounds, and recovery prioritization

Regular tabletop exercises ensure teams understand their roles before a real incident occurs.

Backup and recovery best practices

Reliable, tested backups remain one of the most effective ransomware mitigation controls. Healthcare organizations should

• Maintain offline or immutable backups
• Test restoration procedures for clinical and operational systems
• Ensure backups include EHRs, imaging systems, and connected devices

Without validated recovery capabilities, even well-designed response plans may fail under real-world conditions.

Ransomware risks in the healthcare sector

Unique threats facing healthcare organizations

Ransomware in healthcare presents risks that extend beyond financial loss. System outages can delay diagnoses, interrupt treatments, and force providers to divert patients or revert to manual processes. At the same time, PHI is highly valuable on the black market, making healthcare organizations prime targets for data extortion.

Third-party vendors and service providers compound these risks, as attackers increasingly exploit indirect access paths. Industry analysis shows growing concern around how ransomware has affected TPRM and vendor ecosystems.

Regulatory compliance and risk mitigation strategies

Ransomware incidents often trigger regulatory scrutiny under HIPAA, state privacy laws, and contractual obligations. Healthcare organizations must demonstrate not only that safeguards existed, but that risks were proactively assessed, mitigated, and governed.

This makes structured, auditable security programs essential not just for compliance, but for operational resilience.

Leveraging cybersecurity assessments for defense

How HITRUST supports ransomware readiness

The HITRUST framework provides a prescriptive, scalable approach to preparing for ransomware attacks in healthcare. By harmonizing regulatory requirements, security controls, and risk-based assurance, HITRUST enables organizations to assess their vendors and

• Identify and remediate ransomware-related control gaps
• Align security practices with healthcare regulatory expectations
• Strengthen risk management programs

Rather than relying on fragmented controls, HITRUST supports a unified and measurable approach to ransomware resilience.

Integrating assessments into your security strategy

Healthcare organizations that integrate assessments like HITRUST into their security programs benefit from

• Consistent control implementation across systems and vendors
• Benchmarking and maturity measurement
• Clear evidence of due diligence for regulators, partners, and patients

This improves preparedness across the full incident lifecycle, from prevention to response and recovery.

Certification and assurance benefits

For healthcare organizations assessing their vendors, HITRUST certification provides independent validation that security and risk controls are both designed and operating effectively. Rather than relying on self-attestations or fragmented questionnaires, healthcare organizations can use HITRUST certification to gain confidence that vendor environments are prepared to withstand ransomware threats.

HITRUST certification

• Demonstrates that vendors have proactively implemented controls to reduce ransomware risk
• Builds trust and transparency across the healthcare ecosystem, including regulators and business partners
• Reduces assessment fatigue by replacing duplicative vendor reviews with a standardized, validated approach

This assurance helps healthcare organizations ensure that ransomware resilience is embedded into vendor governance and operations.

Conclusion: Building long-term resilience

Continuous monitoring and improvement

Preparing for a ransomware attack is not a one-time initiative. Healthcare organizations must continuously monitor threats, test controls, assess vendors, and incorporate lessons learned from incidents and exercises into program improvements.

Staying ahead of emerging threats

As ransomware actors increasingly target third-party vendors, cloud platforms, and interconnected healthcare systems, organizations need adaptable and validated security strategies. Those that invest in threat-adaptive frameworks, ongoing risk assessments, and independent assurance will be best positioned to protect patient care and sustain trust over time.

Protect your organization from ransomware threats. Explore how HITRUST can help you build a resilient cybersecurity strategy today.