Latest news with #SafePay
Arabian Post
3 days ago
- Health
- Arabian Post
Healthcare Ransomware Shockwaves Expose Critical Vulnerabilities
A major ransomware assault on a leading diagnostic and pathology services provider has sent healthcare operations into disarray, pausing thousands of patient procedures, crippling essential services like blood transfusions and cancer screenings, and exposing sensitive patient data across multiple hospitals. Investigators have attributed the attack to the Qilin ransomware group, known to operate under Russia's ransomware-as-a-service infrastructure. The breach exploited weak multi-factor authentication, excessive privileged access, orphaned accounts and insufficient endpoint protection, enabling attackers to penetrate deeper into connected hospital systems and halt critical workflows. Patient safety was immediately compromised when blood flow tests and cancer diagnosis processes were suspended. Internal communications from affected hospitals indicated emergency reliance on paper systems and patient diversions to unaffected facilities. In London, a Qilin attack on the Synnovis pathology partner on 3 June led to over 1,100 surgeries and nearly 2,000 outpatient appointments being rescheduled—or cancelled entirely—due to disrupted access to test results and blood supplies. More than 50 organ transplants required reallocation to alternate sites. ADVERTISEMENT The breach has also prompted the release of thousands of blood test files and other personal data onto dark web leak platforms, heightening the risk of identity theft and fraud. The compromised information includes full names, addresses, dates of birth, medical histories and insurance records. In North Carolina, a similar attack by the ransomware group SafePay targeted a major pathology firm in mid-January, later affecting over 235,000 patient records—a breach officially reported to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on 22 May. Healthcare systems rank among the most targeted industries. Microsoft's Threat Intelligence Briefing shows a 300 per cent rise in ransomware attacks since 2015, with the sector enduring one of the highest rates of impact due to its dependence on continuous digital operation. Daily downtime costs may reach US $900,000, underscoring the steep financial stakes alongside clinical liability. The motivations behind these attacks differ from those aimed at financial institutions. While banks are targeted for direct financial gain, ransomware in healthcare also exploits urgency and ethical pressure—where patient lives are at risk—to extort quicker payments. Attackers commonly leverage double extortion tactics, threatening both to encrypt systems and publicly disseminate sensitive data if demands are not met. Recovery from such incidents is often hampered by bureaucratic red tape. Hospitals are typically required to submit detailed assurance or attestation letters before reconnecting with third-party vendors—processes that can take days and exacerbate service disruption. Experts argue for streamlined protocols, proposing primary approval from central incident-response agencies to accelerate recovery. Resilience remains patchy. A confluence of legacy systems, fragmented infrastructure, under-resourced IT teams and delayed security patching has left healthcare networks highly vulnerable. A study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services revealed a 93 per cent rise in large breaches from 2018 to 2022, with ransomware accounting for a 278 per cent spike. Surveys indicate nearly two-thirds of hospitals report patient-care disruption during ransomware incidents, 28 per cent cite higher mortality rates, and breaches have measurably worsened outcomes, with heart attack mortality increasing by roughly 0.3–0.4 percentage points following data breaches. Analysts emphasise that governance and organisational discipline are as crucial as technical defences. Key measures include enforcing multi-factor authentication, conducting regular access reviews, deploying endpoint detection and response, and swiftly applying security patches. Adopting zero-trust architectures with microsegmentation has proven effective at limiting lateral movement, as demonstrated by recent deployments in paediatric hospital networks. Yet, major gaps remain in consistent implementation. The United Kingdom's National Cyber Security Centre is urging healthcare providers and their vendors to learn from these failures. They recommend joint incident response drills involving IT, clinical and emergency teams to ensure operational coordination. Information-sharing frameworks like Health-ISAC are also being promoted as 'virtual neighbourhood-watch' systems to advise organisations about threat activity and mitigation tactics.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
KeySavvy and Cars & Bids Expand Partnership with "SafePay'
New integration seamlessly safeguards and simplifies Cars & Bids transactions SEATTLE, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Innovative private party vehicle transaction platform KeySavvy today announced its enhanced partnership with car auction website Cars & Bids. Since initiating the relationship in April 2024, the two companies have worked closely to launch a deeper integration of KeySavvy's payment system embedded directly within the Cars & Bids website. "Cars & Bids SafePay powered by KeySavvy" launched in November 2024. Since April 2024, over $35 million worth of vehicles have been securely transacted through the partnership. After launching SafePay in November, adoption of KeySavvy's transaction platform on Cars & Bids further increased by 50%, highlighting a significant reduction in friction. With SafePay, Cars & Bids customers can seamlessly access KeySavvy's secure transaction platform without leaving the Cars & Bids website or creating a separate KeySavvy account. Powered by KeySavvy's partner API, SafePay: minimizes friction by requiring less input and providing clear, step-by-step guidance effortlessly handles complex transactions like lien payoffs, multiple owners and business owners maintains the experience under Cars & Bids' trusted branding ensures top-tier customer service with dedicated SafePay support channels maintained by KeySavvy experts. Customers have quickly embraced the convenience and security of SafePay: 'Makes the transfer process seamless, quick, and protected,' remarks Nate Blume. Tom Krishan writes that 'the entire experience was pleasurable and easy.' Ramiz Hanan writes, 'I purchased the car out of state, there was still a lien on the title, and the purchase amount was significant. With SafePay, I made the payment and sat back without worrying about any of that stuff or making a single call.' 'You made a scary task easy and safe,' notes another customer. 'It's a game-changer. Our expanded partnership with an industry leader like Cars & Bids builds on KeySavvy's core values of trust and convenience,' says Andrew Crowell, co-founder and CEO of KeySavvy. "It accelerates our mission to make private vehicle transactions safer, simpler, and more accessible to car buyers and sellers nationwide.' 'At Cars & Bids, our mission is to create trust and joy in the online auction experience,' explains Dan Harman, CEO of Cars & Bids. 'Our partnership with KeySavvy directly supports that goal by removing friction and providing buyers and sellers with unmatched confidence and simplicity. SafePay helps ensure every transaction is as secure and enjoyable as the vehicles themselves.' To learn more about KeySavvy, visit To learn more about Cars & Bids, visit About KeySavvyKeySavvy is a transaction platform that eliminates payment and title fraud in private-party vehicle transactions and guides buyers and sellers through a complex process with ease. For peer-to-peer vehicle marketplaces and lenders, KeySavvy enables trusted, end-to-end transactions that help partners deliver a superior experience to their customers. Since launching in January 2023, KeySavvy has securely transacted over $250 million worth of vehicles. About Cars & Bids Cars & Bids is the premier online auction platform for buying and selling enthusiast vehicles. Designed for modern car lovers, Cars & Bids offers a streamlined, user-friendly experience focused on transparency, community, and curated listings. Media Contact:Emma BuschleLambertebuschle@ in to access your portfolio
