"France to Boost Cyberdefense After Hospital Malware Attacks"

Emmanuel Macron, the French President, recently announced a plan to improve the protection of public facilities and private companies against cyberattacks after cybercriminals launched ransomware attacks against two hospitals in France. These attacks forced the hospitals to transfer some patients to other facilities, posing a significant threat to patient safety. One of the targeted hospital's phone system went down when it was hit by a ransomware attack. Its internet service and other networks had to be shut off in order to prevent the ransomware from spreading. The hospital also had to postpone surgeries due to the ransomware attack. Healthcare workers at the other targeted hospital had to use pen and paper for record-keeping as the ransomware attack that it had faced disrupted phones and computers. According to the French leader, the ransomware attacks, along with other similar cyber assaults in France, have come from nation-states and mafias. Macron emphasized the need for increased international cooperation between police and criminal justice agencies to help combat such attacks. The National Cybersecurity Agency of France (ANSSI) reported a 255 percent increase in ransomware attacks in 2020 against all sectors and geographical areas of France. However, the increase largely affects the healthcare sector, education system, local authorities, and digital service providers. This article continues to discuss the recent ransomware attacks on two French hospitals, the suspected military hacking group behind these attacks, and the plan to strengthen cyber defenses in France. 

Security Week reports "France to Boost Cyberdefense After Hospital Malware Attacks"