A widespread ransomware attack hit healthcare providers worldwide this week, crippling operations and exposing millions of patient records, according to cybersecurity experts and government agencies.
On February 25, 2026, a large-scale ransomware attack targeted healthcare systems across North America and Europe, forcing hospitals to divert patients and raising urgent concerns about patient data privacy, according to Reuters and cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike.
The attack, which began late Sunday night, rapidly spread through interconnected hospital networks, encrypting critical systems and demanding multimillion-dollar ransoms. Hospitals in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada reported significant disruptions, with some emergency rooms temporarily closing.
Early analysis by the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) suggests the ransomware strain is a new variant of the infamous Black Basta malware, which previously targeted financial and manufacturing sectors. This marks the largest healthcare-focused attack since the 2017 WannaCry outbreak.
Background: Rising Threats to Healthcare Cybersecurity
Healthcare organizations have become prime targets for cybercriminals due to their reliance on digital records and often outdated security infrastructure. According to IBM’s 2025 Cost of a Data Breach Report, healthcare breaches cost organizations an average of $10.93 million per incident, the highest of any sector.
Previous high-profile attacks, such as the 2024 ransomware incident at a major U.S. hospital chain, exposed the vulnerability of interconnected medical devices and electronic health record (EHR) systems. Experts warn that the sector’s rapid digitization has outpaced its ability to secure sensitive data.
Scope and Scale of the Attack
This week’s attack affected over 250 hospitals and clinics globally, according to a joint statement from Europol and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Emergency services in London, New York, and Berlin reported delays in patient care, while some facilities reverted to paper records.
Cybersecurity firm Mandiant reported that the attackers exploited a zero-day vulnerability in widely used medical practice management software, allowing them to bypass firewalls and gain administrator access. The malware then spread laterally within hospital networks, encrypting servers and backup systems.
Data Privacy Risks and Patient Impact
The attackers claim to have exfiltrated over 30 million patient records, including names, dates of birth, medical histories, and insurance details. As reported by The Economic Times, some stolen data has already appeared for sale on dark web forums, raising fears of identity theft and fraud.
In response, affected hospitals have notified patients and begun working with law enforcement and cybersecurity consultants. The U.K.’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has launched an investigation into potential violations of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Government and Industry Response
The White House convened an emergency cybersecurity task force on Monday, urging healthcare providers to patch vulnerabilities and strengthen incident response plans. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is coordinating with Interpol to identify the perpetrators, believed to be an Eastern European ransomware group.
CISA and the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) have issued joint advisories, recommending immediate network segmentation, offline backups, and employee phishing awareness training. The agencies warn that further attacks may be imminent as copycat groups exploit the same vulnerability.
Expert Analysis: Why Healthcare Is Vulnerable
Cybersecurity experts point to a combination of legacy systems, insufficient IT budgets, and the critical nature of healthcare operations as key risk factors. According to a 2025 report by KPMG, 68% of hospitals surveyed had not conducted a full security audit in the past year.
“Hospitals can’t afford downtime, so they’re more likely to pay ransoms quickly,” said Dr. Lisa Chen, a cybersecurity researcher at MIT, in an interview with Reuters. “Attackers know this and are targeting the sector aggressively.”
Long-Term Impact and Regulatory Implications
The attack has reignited debate over minimum cybersecurity standards for healthcare providers. Lawmakers in the U.S. and E.U. are considering new legislation mandating regular security audits, encryption of patient data, and mandatory breach disclosures.
Industry groups such as the American Hospital Association have called for increased federal funding to help smaller providers upgrade outdated IT systems. Meanwhile, patients are urged to monitor their credit reports and watch for suspicious activity in the wake of the breach.
What’s Next: Ongoing Investigation and Recovery
As of February 26, many affected hospitals remain in recovery mode, restoring systems from backups and working to contain the breach. Authorities have not confirmed whether any ransoms were paid, citing ongoing negotiations and law enforcement efforts.
Cybersecurity professionals warn that the threat is far from over. “This attack is a wake-up call for the entire healthcare sector,” said CrowdStrike’s Chief Technology Officer. “We expect to see more sophisticated attacks targeting critical infrastructure in 2026.”
Sources
- Reuters
- The Economic Times
- IBM 2025 Cost of a Data Breach Report
- CISA
- Europol
- ENISA
- KPMG
Sources: Information sourced from Reuters, The Economic Times, IBM, CISA, Europol, ENISA, and KPMG reports.