Ransomware forced hospitals to cancel 2,800 operations and shut down systems

British Hospitals Hit by Ransomware: Are Your Business Systems Safe?

Recently, three British hospitals fell victim to a **ransomware attack**, forcing their IT systems offline and leading to the cancellation of routine patient operations. The attack lasted several days, significantly disrupting the hospitals’ ability to provide essential care and services, highlighting the critical impact that **cybersecurity breaches** can have on organizations.

The Dangers of Globe Ransomware: Data Loss and Business Disruption

The ransomware in this case was a variant of the **Globe ransomware**, which is particularly dangerous because it not only encrypts data but also **deletes system backups**. Backups, typically generated daily, allow businesses and institutions to restore their systems to a previous state after an attack. However, without access to these critical backups, **recovering from a cyberattack becomes nearly impossible** without paying the ransom.

Many organizations rely heavily on their backup systems as a safety net in case of IT disasters. When those backups are compromised, businesses are left with few options to restore operations, leading to downtime, lost revenue, and potentially life-threatening consequences in the healthcare sector.

2,800 Patient Operations Cancelled: A Wake-Up Call

Though the hospitals managed to recover their systems within 48 hours without paying the ransom, the incident resulted in the cancellation of **2,800 patient operations**. Not only did this create potential health risks for patients, but it also led to substantial financial and operational losses for the hospitals involved.

This case raises the question: Could your business survive being shut down for 48 hours? Worse, could you afford the ransom costs, which in some cases have reached **$17,000 or more**, to restore your data?

Protect Your Business from Ransomware Attacks

Don’t wait until your business is hit by a cyberattack to assess the strength of your IT security and backup systems. At Optfinity, we specialize in cybersecurity and can help you evaluate how well-protected your organization is against ransomware and other threats. We offer a free assessment to identify potential vulnerabilities and ensure your backups are secure and effective.

Contact Optfinity today to safeguard your business from ransomware and other cyber threats. Stay proactive—don’t wait until it’s too late to secure your company’s most valuable assets.