Brussels, 15 January 2025 (dpa/MIA) - The European Commission on Wednesday presented a plan on how hospitals and health care providers in the European Union can be better protected against cyberattacks.

In 2023, EU member states reported 309 cybersecurity incidents that can lead to delayed medical procedures, gridlocks in emergency rooms and disrupted vital services, the commission warned.

"Modern health care has made incredible advances through digital transformation, which has meant citizens have benefited from
better healthcare," said European Commission Vice President Henna Virkkunen in a statement.

The use of digital technologies however made the health sector a target for cyberattacks and threats prompting the need for better protection, she added.

Most cyberattacks against the health care sector involve the use of ransomware and cost around €300,000 ($309,345) on average, the commission said.

Health care providers are particularly vulnerable to extortion as their services need to be restored as quickly as possible and leaked data is often highly sensitive.

The commission aims to prevent such incidents through training and awareness building as well as early detection of threats through a new EU support centre.

The new measures, which will be implemented through the end of next year, also include a rapid response service once an incident is under way to mitigate potential damage.

Photo: MIA archive