As ransomware attacks on healthcare institutions become severe worldwide, South Korea is carrying out a project to distribute ransomware countermeasure solutions free of charge to medical institutions.
Recently, large-scale data breaches have occurred at medical institutions in New York and Pennsylvania, exposing the personal information of hundreds of thousands of individuals. This incident once again highlights that the weak cybersecurity of healthcare institutions has become a prime target for hackers. As the U.S. healthcare system accelerates its digital transformation, it increasingly attracts cyberattacks. The patient information held by medical institutions is as valuable as financial data, making them highly vulnerable to attacks. Consequently, healthcare facilities are under growing pressure to strengthen security measures to protect their data.
Meanwhile, cyberattacks targeting medical institutions are continuously increasing in South Korea as well. Since 2020, more than 220 cases of security breaches at medical institutions have been reported, including incidents at major national university hospitals such as Seoul National University Hospital. Recently, ransomware attacks on medical systems have paralyzed hospital networks, causing disruptions in patient treatment schedules. When medical data is leaked, it may include patient medical records, insurance details, and personal information, leading to severe secondary damages. This suggests that medical data has become a critical target for hackers, underscoring the need for stronger security measures.
To enhance the cybersecurity of medical institutions, private companies in South Korea are taking proactive steps. FilingCloud is providing 1,220 units of its data protection software, “FilingBox MEGA,” free of charge to medical institutions to safeguard healthcare data in advance against ransomware and data-stealing malware attacks. In particular, FilingBox MEGA offers security features that encrypt essential data within medical institutions and prevent data tampering in case of ransomware infection, making it a highly effective countermeasure. Medical institutions interested in receiving this solution can apply through the FilingCloud website or the ransomware response solution support page on the Korea Information Security Industry Association (KISIA) website.
Experts predict that cyberattacks targeting medical institutions will continue to increase, emphasizing the necessity of cooperation between the government and private companies. The security industry is currently developing various countermeasures, such as AI-based security solutions and enhanced cloud security technologies, to protect healthcare institutions. Additionally, voices are growing within medical institutions to raise security awareness through education and conduct regular security inspections to prepare for hacking and ransomware attacks.
Such private-sector support highlights the importance of protecting medical data and is being recognized internationally as a noteworthy initiative. Strengthening cybersecurity in healthcare institutions is not merely about protecting IT infrastructure but is directly linked to patient safety, necessitating more systematic security measures.
