Former European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has committed to developing a strategy to combat ransomware attacks targeting healthcare providers if she is re-elected. This promise was made during a speech in Strasbourg, coinciding with a significant vote in the European Parliament that will determine her future in office.

In her address, von der Leyen highlighted the increasing vulnerability of healthcare systems to cyber threats, stating that she plans to propose a European action plan focused on hospital cybersecurity within the first 100 days of her new term. However, specific details of this plan were not disclosed.

Recent cyberattacks have affected multiple hospitals across the EU, including those in Romania, France, Belgium, and Spain. While individual EU member states manage their own cybersecurity, the cross-border nature of these attacks has led to recent EU legislation aimed at enhancing cyber resilience and cooperation among member states.

Von der Leyen also emphasized her Commission’s commitment to bolstering cyber defense capabilities, improving coordination of national efforts, and securing critical infrastructure. She indicated that this would involve fostering a reliable European cyber-defense industry.

In line with measures taken by the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, she pledged to enhance the EU’s sanctions framework to address cyberattacks and hybrid threats effectively