A Socio-Technical Approach to Preventing, Mitigating, and Recovering from Ransomware Attacks

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Cybersecurity
• Information Technology

Background:

• Ransomware attacks pose a significant threat to global healthcare organizations.
• These attacks can disable critical systems and lead to data loss.
• Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems are particularly vulnerable.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a socio-technical framework for addressing ransomware threats in healthcare.
• To outline actionable steps for securing EHR systems and IT infrastructure.
• To emphasize the shared responsibility in cybersecurity.

Main Methods:

• Implementing robust system protection through correct installation and configuration.
• Enhancing defense via user-focused strategies like simulation and training.
• Continuous monitoring of system and application usage for threat detection.
• Developing adequate response and recovery plans for ransomware incidents.

Main Results:

• A four-step socio-technical approach is proposed to mitigate ransomware risks.
• Recommendations align with authoritative sources like NIST.
• The study highlights the importance of proactive security measures.

Conclusions:

• Securing EHR systems requires a multi-faceted socio-technical strategy.
• Effective ransomware defense involves collaboration between IT professionals and end-users.
• Continuous vigilance and preparedness are essential for healthcare cybersecurity.