Ransomware is a form of cyberattack where hackers lock or encrypt a victim’s data and demand payment in exchange for releasing it. This form of digital extortion has escalated globally, affecting healthcare providers, institutions, and governments alike. In the healthcare sector, such attacks can be particularly devastating, compromising the safety of patients and healthcare workers. The joint statement, endorsed by nations such as Japan, South Korea, Argentina, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, outlined the immediate dangers these attacks pose to public health and international security, calling on all governments to take stronger cybersecurity measures.
The U.S., represented by Deputy National Security Adviser Anne Neuberger, directly blamed Russia for allowing ransomware groups to operate freely within its borders.
According to Neuberger, some countries knowingly permit these actors to execute attacks that impact critical infrastructure globally. She called out Moscow for not addressing cybercriminals targeting foreign healthcare systems, implying that Russia’s inaction may indirectly support these malicious groups. Additional accusations were made against North Korea by delegates from France and South Korea, who highlighted the country’s alleged complicity in facilitating ransomware attacks.
Russia’s UN representative, Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia, defended against these claims, arguing that the Security Council was not the right forum to address such issues. He asserted that Western nations were wasting valuable council time and resources by focusing on ransomware, suggesting instead that they address other pressing matters, including alleged attacks on hospitals in Gaza.
WHO and the supporting nations warn that cybercrime, particularly ransomware, requires a global response to strengthen defenses in vulnerable sectors like healthcare. Dr. Ghebreyesus underscored that without collaboration, cybercriminals will continue to exploit critical systems, putting lives at risk. The joint statement also condemned nations that knowingly enable cybercriminals by allowing them to operate within their jurisdictions. This complicity, they argue, not only endangers healthcare systems but also threatens peace and security globally.
As ransomware attacks continue to rise, healthcare systems worldwide face increasing pressure to strengthen cybersecurity defenses. The WHO’s call to action emphasizes that nations need to take ransomware threats as seriously as traditional security issues, working together to protect both patient safety and public health infrastructure.
