Ransomware Reality Check:

Readiness on a Healthcare Budget

T.J. Ramsey

Senior Director, Threat Operations
Fortified Health Security

Jake Bice

Director Threat Defense
Fortified Health Security

Ransomware has healthcare squarely in its sights, with incidents forcing patient diversions, keeping email dark for 25 days, delay imaging for 40 days, and incurring recovery costs of more than $100 million*.

Yet reported use of advanced vulnerability testing methods such as penetration tests, red/purple teams, and tabletop exercises, is still only 20% or lower*.

In this session, Fortified’s Red Team and Blue Team leaders will run a “ransomware reality check” using a real-world healthcare attack sequence. They’ll demonstrate how simple, affordable readiness steps can empower clinicians and leaders to slow down attackers and maintain operations under pressure.

You’ll learn how to:

  • Run your own ransomware reality check by turning a real-world incident into a simple comparison to gauge your readiness
  • Aim a limited budget at the right tactic so each investment improves both detection and recovery instead of adding more noise
  • Make faster decisions under uncertainty using simple guardrails, such as contain vs. observe, who to involve, and what to say to leadership
  • Build a 90-day readiness plan that aligns IT, operations, and leadership around a small set of actions you can complete

About the presenters

T.J. Ramsey

Senior Director, Threat Operations
Fortified Health Security

T.J. Ramsey is a seasoned IT security professional with more than 18 years of experience in healthcare and defense intelligence. He served as a U.S. Army Military Intelligence Analyst for the Department of Defense and held security roles at Obsidian Solutions Group and SAIC/Leidos. T.J. has shared his cybersecurity expertise in publications such as TechTarget and Chief Healthcare Executive, and has presented at industry events, including Health Connect Partners (HCP), CHIME, and THIMA.

Jake Bice

Director Threat Defense
Fortified Health Security

Jake has 5+ years in Infosec and cybersecurity, including 3 years at Community Health Systems. His career has been dedicated to supporting healthcare environments, with his most recent work focusing on overseeing the strategic operations of Fortified’s SOC Center.

*U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) & Health Sector Coordinating Council – “Hospital Cyber Resiliency Initiative: Landscape Analysis