Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift
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Dtsch. Med. Wochenschr. · Sep 2024
[IT Failures in Hospitals - Structures and Processes in Hospitals for Coping Cyber Attacks].
Clinics are, by definition, part of a country's critical infrastructure. In recent years, hospitals have increasingly become the target of cyber attacks, resulting in disruptions to their functionality lasting weeks to even months. According to the "National Strategy for the Protection of Critical Infrastructures (CRITIS Strategy)", clinics are legally obligated to take preventive measures against such incidents. ⋯ Additionally, paper-based alternative solutions, such as request forms for diagnostic or consultation services, department-specific emergency documents, and patient documentation charts, should be kept in a readily accessible location known to staff in the respective areas. The complete restoration of a clinic's network after a cyber attack often requires extensive recovery of numerous IT systems, which may take weeks to months in some cases. If the hospital has robust plans for cyber emergency preparedness, including regular scans and real-time backups, stabilization and a quicker resumption of operations may be possible.