Improving responses to ransomware attacks in radiation therapy
Official title: Systems Engineering for Ransomware Attack Response Resiliency in Radiation Oncology
Funded at Thomas Jefferson University · NIH-10933339 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on ways to help radiation oncology departments get back to treating patients safely and quickly after a ransomware attack, with input from both staff and patients to make sure everyone's needs are met.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Thomas Jefferson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $393,974 |
| NIH project number | 1R18HS030060-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10933339 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients undergoing radiation therapy who may be affected by potential disruptions due to ransomware attacks.
✕Less likely to help
Patients receiving treatments outside of radiation oncology or those not impacted by cyber security issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing strategies to ensure that radiation oncology departments can quickly and safely resume treatments after ransomware attacks. By forming a multi-disciplinary team and a patient advisory board, the project aims to create specific methods and tools tailored to the unique challenges faced by radiation oncology. The approach includes gathering insights from frontline staff and understanding the impact of such attacks on patient care, particularly for those with social vulnerabilities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more resilient radiation therapy services, minimizing treatment delays and improving patient outcomes during cyber incidents.
How similar studies have gone: While research on ransomware in healthcare is still emerging, there have been successful initiatives in other medical fields addressing cyber resilience, indicating potential for similar advancements in radiation oncology.
Where this research is happening
-
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vinogradskiy, Yevgeniy — Thomas Jefferson University
- Study coordinator: Vinogradskiy, Yevgeniy
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.