A typical ransomware attack is launched to lock down critical data. The operators then demand an amount of money to provide key for ransomware decrypt. In healthcare sector, data is considered very critical. Stealing or holding it hostage contains some serious repercussions. Not only does it jeopardize patient’s confidentiality, but it can also disrupt the delivery of different medical practices.
The critical nature of medical data was realized when Allscripts hit by a ransomware strain in the beginning of this year. Two of their data centers were targeted that resulted into the interruption of 1500 practices for six to eight days.
Even though Allscripts dealt with ransomware decrypt in minimum possible time, they still couldn’t get any success in reducing the ensuing downtime. Allscripts ransomware attack illustrates that no matter how high-quality ransomware decrypt services are acquired, once the attack has happened it’s very difficult to reduce its impact.
Cyber security researchers have been constantly probing for the safest storage means for sensitive and confidential data. Cloud storage is a one such solution, but it has now also become vulnerable to the shenanigans of cybercriminals. For that matter, digital security researchers are looking towards new possibilities and Blockchain is one of them.
It is quite interesting that Blockchain, which forms the basis of ransomware payments, can also be designed to secure personal data of greater sensitivity. Experts indicate that Blockchain network can help in making a storage software that can help the healthcare industry protect their data from ransomware infections. Let’s have a look at how Blockchain can protect your data from cryptovirological attacks and from ransomware decrypts.
Blockchain can break up the data into tiny pieces so that ransomware scripts can’t lock it down. Moreover, Blockchain networks can also encrypt the data, which means you can limit its accessibility. Experts always advise this measure to reduce the chances of data theft and compromise.
Aside from that, Blockchain-based storage can distribute data across the network in a way that the files remain accessible even if the network is incurring a ransomware or some other cyber attack.
