# CISA Warns Medusa Ransomware Threatens Critical Infrastructure

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC), issued updated advisories in August 2026 warning that the Medusa ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) operation has compromised over 500 U.S. critical infrastructure organizations since June 2021. Targeted sectors include healthcare, defense, manufacturing, education, and government services. The ransomware gang exploits known software vulnerabilities, employs access brokers paying up to $1 million for network access, disables security tools, and uses double-extortion tactics. Agencies emphasize immediate patching, network segmentation, securing remote access, phishing testing, and employee training as critical mitigation strategies.

- **Why this matters:** Federal agencies highlight urgent cybersecurity needs across critical infrastructure, signaling increased demand for cybersecurity services and solutions tailored to operational technology (OT) environments.
- Organizations supporting government and critical sectors should prioritize vulnerability management and advanced threat detection capabilities to address evolving ransomware tactics.
- Cybersecurity contractors can leverage this advisory to align offerings with federal priorities, including patch management, network segmentation, and employee awareness programs.
- Procurement professionals should anticipate increased funding and contract opportunities focused on ransomware defense and critical infrastructure protection initiatives.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Public Safety, Healthcare, Defense & Military
**Topics:** Cybersecurity
**Published:** August 24, 2026

### Government Entities
- Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC)
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

### Vendors
- OPSWAT (security solutions provider)

### Key Quotes
> One of the major factors in why Medusa ransomware has been so successful in breaching critical infrastructure organisations is that there’s a lack of understanding among security teams regarding the impact of IT threats on OT environments.
> — James Neilson, SVP of Global at OPSWAT

### Sources
- [CISA Warns of Medusa Ransomware-as-a-Service Attacks Over 300 Organizations](https://cyberpress.org/cisa-warns-of-medusa-ransomware-as-a-service-attacks) - cyberpress.org
- [CISA Warns Medusa Ransomware Hackers Steal Data, Kill Security Tools, and Encrypt Entire Networks](https://cybersecuritynews.com/medusa-ransomware) - CyberSecurityNews
- [Medusa ransomware gang hits 500 critical infrastructure organisations, US agencies warn](https://www.computing.co.uk/news/2026/security/medusa-gang-hits-500-critical-infrastructure-organisations-us) - Computing UK