The idea of hackers holding patients ransom while suspending use of their medical devices is absolutely terrifying, but according to a new Forrester report, it is probable in the near future.

Healthcare has proven to be behind the times when it comes to monitoring cybersecurity, mostly in the realm of data breaches, as we know. But this could have some new devastating costs. Ransomware is used to control use of a computer and holds it hostage until the victim pays, usually in the form of Bitcoins. And ransomware has recently hit Windows users the most, but some Android and MacOS users are now dealing with the same challenge.

But what is the real likelihood of this being a major issue in 2016?

“That’s a bold specific prediction,” Joshua Corman, founder of I Am the Cavalry, a global grassroots organization focused on issues where computer security intersects public safety and human life, told Vice Motherboard. “I hope it doesn’t happen as they say it will, because that would shatter our confidence in these lifesaving medical devices.”

It might be a bold prediction and one that would be clearly devastating in most cases, but even with that sentiment, some believe the technical possibility is entirely warranted.

“It’s definitely feasible from a technical standpoint,” said medical device security researcher Billy Rios, according to Motherboard. “Given the urgency associated with these devices, I could see it as something that could happen next year. All that would be required from an attacker standpoint is small modifications to the malware to make it work.”

This could be our current reality’s version of an exponential holdup.

“People who say ‘oh but no one would ever do that’ fail to understand that on the internet, every sociopath is your next door neighbor,” Corman said. “I am increasingly uncomfortable relying on the kindness of strangers everywhere on the planet. Assuming that no one would do this is naive,” he added, “and assuming that organizations are capable of stopping it is unmerited trust.”

Anybody else feel like turning off all of their devices right now, or…just me?

Photo: Flickr user Thomas Salazar