Healthcare ransomware attacks continue to accelerate, causing widespread disruption across healthcare systems while putting sensitive patient data and lives at serious risk. In this episode, we sat down with a leading healthcare cybersecurity expert who has been in the trenches responding to hundreds of ransomware attacks.

Watch the video version here.

Beth Waller, Chair of Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Practice at Woods Rogers, breaks down what you need to know before, during, and after a cyber incident. Beth shares insights from real-world healthcare ransomware response engagements, covering why healthcare is such a prime target, common cybersecurity blind spots, how organizations should prepare, and what actually happens in the critical first hours after an attack.

The conversation also dives into media response, cyber insurance, ransomware negotiations, class action lawsuits, business continuity, and the growing impact of AI on cybersecurity and data privacy. This episode is essential listening for healthcare executives, CIOs, CISOs, compliance leaders, risk management teams, and anyone responsible for protecting patient data and keeping clinical operations running.

Chapters and timestamps

0:00 Teaser and show intro

01:29 Beth Waller background and role

03:05 Why healthcare is a ransomware target

04:18 Systems complexity and legacy risk

05:52 Sensitive patient data and extortion

06:07 Cybersecurity hygiene fundamentals

07:30 Incident response planning basics

08:02 Legal privilege and counsel involvement

09:00 Media exposure and crisis communications

11:39 Ransomware disclosure considerations

12:46 Class actions and litigation risk

15:26 Unified communications and vendors

17:05 First hours after a ransomware attack

18:05 Cyber insurance strategy

21:56 Ransom negotiations and OFAC issues

25:45 Backup testing and recovery readiness

27:07 Patient care continuity and downtime

32:03 AI, cybersecurity, and future risks

32:50 Closing thoughts and wrap-up

Connect with Beth on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-burgin-waller-67a239105

Find Beth's work at https://www.woodsrogers.com

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