Cyberattacks in the Healthcare Industry: An Overview
Gone are the days when doctors and nurses would open a filing cabinet to get important information about a patient. Nowadays, digitizing files in hospitals and other healthcare organizations makes things more efficient and convenient and helps improve patient care.
However, this convenience also brings challenges, particularly in the form of cyberattacks. This blog will explore key aspects of healthcare cybersecurity, including statistics, threats, and preventive measures to take to stay HIPAA-compliant and keep patient data safe.
Healthcare Cyberattack Statistics
In the first half of 2023 alone, the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights received reports of over 327 reported healthcare data breaches, a 104% increase from 2022. These cyberattacks impacted the data of over 40 million individual patients, marking a big 60% increase compared to the previous year.
Notably, the breaches in 2023 included five instances involving at least 3 million records each, surpassing the scale of previous years. The report also highlights a bigger risk for healthcare business associates, accounting for 14% of all reported breaches and experiencing a 273% increase compared to the same period in 2022.
Rising Threats: Common Cyberattacks in Healthcare
Cybercriminals use a variety of methods to exploit vulnerabilities in the healthcare sector, posing significant threats to protected health information (PHI) and overall cybersecurity. Some of them include:
- Ransomware Attacks: When malicious software encrypts a healthcare organization's files, demanding payment for their release
- Phishing Schemes: Involves deceptive emails or messages to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information, often targeting healthcare employees with access to valuable data
- Credential Theft: Where login credentials are stolen in order to gain access to an online account or system
- Malware Attacks: Uses harmful software like viruses, trojans, and ransomware to exploit vulnerabilities through methods such as infected email attachments, compromised websites, or software vulnerabilities
Impact on Patient Data and Confidentiality
Cyberattacks on patient data and confidentiality can have devastating consequences, compromising sensitive information and impacting both individuals and healthcare providers. Let’s take a look at some real-world examples.
Anthem Health Insurance
Back in 2015, insurance giant Anthem Health faced a massive breach that exposed the medical records of over 78.8 million people. The information stolen included their names, addresses, social security numbers, and medical diagnoses. The perpetrators gained access through an employee's compromised email account. This is considered to be the largest U.S. health data breach in history. Anthem agreed to pay the OCR a $16 million settlement because of the incident.
Premera Blue Cross
Also in 2015, a sophisticated phishing attack compromised the data of over 11 million Premera Blue Cross customers, including medical records, financial information, and social security numbers. The attackers used stolen employee credentials to gain access to the company's systems. Their settlement was a lot less than Anthem’s, but still pretty high at a whopping $6.85 million.
MedStar Health
A ransomware attack crippled MedStar Health's network in 2016, forcing the organization to cancel appointments and divert patients to other hospitals. The attack exposed the data of over 3.4 million individuals, including medical records and financial information.
These are just a few examples of the many data breaches that have occurred in the healthcare industry in recent years. These incidents highlight the importance of cybersecurity for healthcare organizations and the need to take proactive steps to protect sensitive patient data.
Cybersecurity Measures for Healthcare Organizations
Healthcare organizations can strengthen their digital defenses by implementing several basic cybersecurity measures. Some examples include:
- Data Encryption: Encrypt sensitive patient data to protect it from unauthorized access, especially during data transmission and storage.
- Regular Software Updates: Keep all software, including operating systems and applications, up to date with the latest security patches to address vulnerabilities.
- Firewall Protection: Use firewalls to monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic, preventing unauthorized access and potential cyber threats.
- Incident Response Plan: Develop and regularly update an incident response plan to efficiently address and mitigate the impact of a cybersecurity incident.
- Employee Training and Awareness: Educate staff on cybersecurity best practices, including recognizing phishing attempts and understanding the importance of data protection.
By incorporating these measures into their cybersecurity strategy, healthcare organizations can significantly improve their ability to protect patient data and maintain the integrity of their digital infrastructure.
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