The healthcare industry has recently seen an increase in cyberattacks. The global epidemic compelled healthcare organizations to provide patients with remote care and telemedicine. Since then, the health sector has accepted the cloud and the technological advancement of their systems and business approaches.
Yet there seems to be no clear indication of attacks decelerating in the health care system, from clinics to hospitals. Let’s look at five main attack vectors to be concerned about.
1. Ransomware
Ransomware is a form of a malicious program (malware) that prevents users from accessing their data unless the hacker gets the amount or some other recovery is found. The ransomware has significant consequences for any organization it targets.
However, the impacts of a ransomware attack in the healthcare sector can be life-threatening.
2. Data Breaches
The most critical data for cybercriminals to steal is patient information. Data breaches are all too common in the healthcare industry. The sector experiences more data breaches than almost any other. There are many ways for breaches to occur. The most frequent are credential-stealing malicious programs, employee negligence, and insiders revealing patient data.
3. DDoS Attacks
Owners are unable to access due to DDoS attacks. Being carried out from any area on the earth, they are hard to detect. The healthcare sector has been a notable victim of these threats, with attackers using DDoS to stall services that patients desperately need.
Cyber attackers use this method to overwhelm networks, posing a significant problem for healthcare organizations that require network access for appropriate patient care.
4. Insider Threats
Without appropriate security protocols and guidelines, health systems are particularly vulnerable to insiders. The insiders who have access to private company data use their credentials for financial profit, causing harm to the organization.
According to Verizon’s 2021 Data Breach Investigations report, insiders are responsible for 22% of security issues, with 64% of insiders doing so for financial benefit.
5. Business Email Compromise And Fraud Scams
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the business email compromise is “Billion Dollar Scam.” Employees are persuaded to transfer large amounts of money to fraudulent accounts by hackers using emails (spear-phishing emails) or compromised accounts.
Scammers almost always pose as someone in positions of power within the organization, like the CEO or CFO. Hospitals and medical centers must be cautious of this scam, as it can lead to loss of money, Protected Health Information, or goods like prescription drugs.
Tips To Mitigate Cybersecurity Threats
- Know about ransomware attacks and develop a ransomware policy.
- PC, laptops, smartphones, and other medical devices, particularly those connected to networks, should be correctly monitored and protected with anti-virus software, firewalls, or other similar defenses.
- Increase security measure risk levels.
- Consider cloud migration for medical records because it provides a safe and dynamic solution for patient data storage and backup.
- Train staff to distinguish between valid and suspicious emails, threats, and websites to avoid security breaches.
By following the above tips, you can minimize cyber-security threats in the healthcare industry. But there will always be a successful cyberattack regardless of how hard healthcare providers act to mitigate the potential risks.
That is why it’s critical to have a plan in place for a successful incident response. A comprehensive strategy to identify possible threats within your systems and the ability to respond to eliminate those risks and mitigate their effects are required.
Rogue Logics provides in-depth security services for the assessment and protection of your application, data, and infrastructure against potential threats on-prem or in the cloud. Want a consultation with the professionals at Rogue Logics? Contact us and get a free quote.