Ransomware Threats to Critical Infrastructure in the USA

Abstract
The rise in cyber-attacks, particularly ransomware, poses significant threats to critical U.S. infrastructure,
including the energy, healthcare, government, and manufacturing sectors. Ransomware attacks exploit system
vulnerabilities to encrypt vital files, demanding ransoms for their release. These attacks are escalating in severity as
attackers leverage the importance of these files to organizations and stakeholders, boosting their bargaining power.
This study investigates ransomware's impact using secondary data from past research and reliable government sources.
Key findings reveal that the persistent rise in ransomware attacks is driven by inadequate information sharing, human
error, and growing reliance on digital workflows. Organizations often conceal attacks to avoid reputational damage,
hindering collaborative defenses. Additionally, human error emerges as a significant vulnerability. The study
recommends implementing robust information-sharing systems and comprehensive employee training to mitigate the
frequency and impact of ransomware attacks, ensuring better preparedness and resilience across critical sectors.
Keywords: Ransomware, Vulnerabilities, Critical infrastructure cybersecurity, IT-OT interdependencies, healthcare,
Threat, Cybersecurity, and Ransomware in manufacturing and government facilities