WannaCry Exposes US Healthcare Vulnerabilities

Posted: May 23, 2017 to News.

Tags: Ransomware, Data Breach, Malware

The big news in the recent WannaCry ransomware attacks was how a number of healthcare facilities in the UK had to shut down after being infected.Less reported was the fact that WaanaCry was also discovered in medical devices in the US. The FDA had issued a warning that medical devices were vulnerable to attack. Forbes reported that Windows-based medical devices were susceptible as well. In the aftermath of the WannaCry attack, it was found that medical devices by big-name companies were indeed infected. If there's something good to come out of such a massive cyberattack, it is that the medical community is starting to wake up to how vulnerable they are and they're finally starting to take action by calling for patches for the devices as well as taking heed of the FDA's advice to monitor devices, identify problems, and take appropriate action. One big problem is that a lot of healthcare providers don't really think about the fact that their devices may be in need of updates, or even know how to go about applying them. Many are based on old, outdated operating systems, leaving gaping holes in cybersecurity. As cyberattacks increase and become a bigger deal, more healthcare providers will be aware of the problems and take action. If you own, operate, or manage a healthcare facility and you have questions about cybersecurity, make sure to contact us before the next attack hits.

Protect Your Business Today

Petronella Technology Group has provided cybersecurity, compliance, and managed IT services from Raleigh, NC for over 23 years. Contact us today for a free consultation and technology assessment.

Need help implementing these strategies? Our cybersecurity experts can assess your environment and build a tailored plan.

Get Free Assessment

Explore Our Services

Cybersecurity AI Services Compliance HIPAA CMMC Managed IT

About the Author

Craig Petronella

CEO, Founder & AI Architect, Petronella Technology Group

Craig Petronella founded Petronella Technology Group in 2002 and has spent more than 30 years working at the intersection of cybersecurity, AI, compliance, and digital forensics. He holds the CMMC Registered Practitioner credential (RP-1372) issued by the Cyber AB, is an NC Licensed Digital Forensics Examiner (License #604180-DFE), and completed MIT Professional Education programs in AI, Blockchain, and Cybersecurity. Craig also holds CompTIA Security+, CCNA, and Hyperledger certifications.

He is an Amazon #1 Best-Selling Author of 15+ books on cybersecurity and compliance, host of the Encrypted Ambition podcast (95+ episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon), and a cybersecurity keynote speaker with 200+ engagements at conferences, law firms, and corporate boardrooms. Craig serves as Contributing Editor for Cybersecurity at NC Triangle Attorney at Law Magazine and is a guest lecturer at NCCU School of Law. He has served as a digital forensics expert witness in federal and state court cases involving cybercrime, cryptocurrency fraud, SIM-swap attacks, and data breaches.

Under his leadership, Petronella Technology Group has served 2,500+ clients, maintained a zero-breach record among compliant clients, earned a BBB A+ rating every year since 2003, and been featured as a cybersecurity authority on CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, and WRAL. The company leverages SOC 2 Type II certified platforms and specializes in AI implementation, managed cybersecurity, CMMC/HIPAA/SOC 2 compliance, and digital forensics for businesses across the United States.

CMMC-RP NC Licensed DFE MIT Certified CompTIA Security+ Expert Witness 15+ Books

Related Service

Need Cybersecurity or Compliance Help?

Schedule a free consultation with our cybersecurity experts to discuss your security needs.

Schedule Free Consultation

Free cybersecurity consultation available Schedule Now

WannaCry Exposes US Healthcare Vulnerabilities

Protect Your Business Today

Related Articles

About the Author