Agencies urge action to protect against ransomware gang

The FBI, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and Department of Health and Human Services today alerted U.S. organizations to a cybercrime group targeting the health care sector with ransomware and data extortion operations. The group has attacked multiple organizations since June, deploying ransomware to encrypt servers responsible for health care services, exfiltrating personal identifiable information and patient health information, and threatening to release the information if a ransom is not paid. The advisory includes indicators of compromise and recommended actions to protect against these attacks.
 
“This particularly urgent alert is directly relevant to ongoing ransomware threats currently targeting hospitals and health systems,” said John Riggi, AHA’s national advisor for cybersecurity and risk. “The report also contains actionable indicators of compromise, malware signatures that should be loaded into network defense and intrusion detection systems. If there is any indication of this ransomware being present on hospital or health system networks, it is recommended that immediate steps be taken to contain, isolate and remediate. It is also strongly recommended that local FBI and CISA field offices be contacted immediately.”