On November 8, the World Health Organization (WHO) and 54 countries issued a warning at the United Nations about the rise of ransomware attacks against healthcare facilities. Ransomware attacks are a form of cyberattacks, in which a malicious actor “takes over” or “locks” files on a single computer or an entire network, demanding payment in return for access.
Greece participated in the joint statement expressing its deep concern and calling on states to stand together against this threat to international security.
According to WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who addressed the UN Security Council during the Security Council “surveys have shown that attacks on the healthcare sector have increased in both scale and frequency,” emphasizing the importance of international cooperation to combat them. “Cybercrime, including ransomware, poses a serious threat to international security,” he added, calling on the Security Council to consider it as such.
Did you know?
Healthcare and emergency services is one of the top four most targeted sectors for ransomware attacks, with at least 191 incidents worldwide in the first half of this year alone.
Security Council: Joint statement on Ransomware