Cybersecurity threats in the healthcare industry are becoming more prevalent as hospitals and healthcare systems increasingly rely on digital technologies. Patient data, medical devices, and operational systems are often online, making them vulnerable to healthcare cyber threats that could compromise both privacy and patient safety. A security breach could expose critical systems, risking patient lives.
In what scenario would you be willing to answer invasive and personal questions without thinking twice? That’s right, at a doctor’s appointment. Patients trust healthcare professionals to protect their personal information. However, despite this trust, cybersecurity threats in the healthcare industry remain rampant. The healthcare sector experiences some of the highest numbers of data breaches, making it notoriously vulnerable to cyber healthcare attacks. Hackers often target healthcare systems for valuable data.
The Healthcare Cybersecurity Investment Gap
Unfortunately, cybersecurity risks in healthcare often persist due to insufficient investment. Healthcare organizations allocate only 4-7% of their revenue to healthcare IT security, while other industries, such as finance, spend up to 15%. This lack of investment leaves critical systems open to exploitation by a potential attacker. Healthcare and cybersecurity must become a higher priority to avoid devastating attacks that impact patient safety and organizational integrity.
Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and Personal Health Information (PHI)
The healthcare industry is a prime target for cybercriminals. Personal information and Personal Health Information (PHI) is especially valuable on the black market, fetching about $363, compared to $2 for Personally Identifiable Information (PII). Cybercriminals can exploit PHI to steal identities, file fraudulent insurance claims, and even obtain medications under false pretenses. This grim reality underscores the urgent need for improved computer-security measures in healthcare.
Types of Cybersecurity Threats in the Healthcare Industry
Malware and Operational Disruptions
Malware might cause these data breaches, but malicious software isn’t limited to only that form of damage. It can also trigger operational disruption which hinders productivity. Another type of attack included in the list of cybersecurity threats in the healthcare industry is a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack, which causes the server to be unable to operate. For some businesses this might be extremely annoying and frustrating, but, for the healthcare industry, this can be fatal. This is due to the fact that a lot of critical medical equipment today are actually a computer. Additionally, patient records, laboratory results, hospital elevators and more rely on technology and a DDoS attack can implicate them, too.
Ransomware Attacks
Hospitals, due to their large assets, are frequent targets of cybersecurity threats in healthcare like ransomware attacks. Hospitals especially, due to their large assets, are frequently targeted. These attacks prevent flies and systems from being accessed until a payment is made. And these aren’t minor payments – attackers are greedy, with the average paid ransom by healthcare firms in 2018 being just under $30,000. Paying the ransom is actually not recommended as it only encourages more attacks of this type. However, whether you pay the ransom or not, there remains a risk that the data may never be recovered. The fact that the healthcare industry is so nonchalant about IoT in Healthcare security means that they are at serious risk.
Many healthcare organizations remain unprepared for cybersecurity threats in healthcare. While doctors and medical staff prioritize patient care, cybersecurity awareness is often lacking. Healthcare employees may inadvertently contribute to cyber security threats in healthcare through negligent online behavior, making the industry more vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Insider Threats and Lack of Cybersecurity Awareness
The healthcare sector struggles with insider threats, where employees inadvertently increase vulnerability to cyberattacks. Many healthcare workers lack adequate cybersecurity training, making them susceptible to social engineering tactics used by attackers. Phishing emails, often containing malicious links, can lead to malware installation and significant data breaches.
BYOD and IoT Security Risks
The increasing adoption of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies increase the number of access points to the organization’s network. This of course increases the number of ways a perpetrator can carry out an attack. Additionally, the healthcare industry is becoming more accepting to Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Hospitals are now connecting many of the apparatus used within them to the internet. Many of them are vitally important to a patient’s well-being, such as heart monitors and infusion pumps. These connected healthcare devices provide more points of entry to the organization’s network and, if hacked, can be lethal. The increase in the amount of internet-connected devices also means possible exposure to IoT security vulnerabilities.
Consequences of Cybersecurity Threats in Healthcare
The rapid adoption of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) and IoT has escalated cybersecurity threats in healthcare. Weak security protocols, combined with a lack of awareness among healthcare employees, exacerbate this growing threat. These vulnerabilities provide malicious actors with opportunities to deploy rogue devices, potentially leading to data breaches, ransomware attacks, or DDoS incidents. The consequences of such attacks are devastating for the healthcare sector, primarily compromising patient safety and tarnishing the reputation of healthcare organizations.
Beyond the immediate risks, cybersecurity threats in healthcare also impose severe financial burdens. Healthcare organizations can face fines in the millions due to the sensitive nature of the data they manage, with costs continuing to mount through long-term recovery and remediation efforts.
Cyberattacks also impose severe financial burdens, with potential fines and recovery costs reaching millions. The importance of cybersecurity in the healthcare industry cannot be overstated. Strengthening security measures is essential to protect patient information and ensure institutional integrity.
Strengthening Healthcare Against Cybersecurity Threats
Cybersecurity threats in healthcare continue to evolve, with attackers targeting vulnerable medical devices, patient data, and critical hospital infrastructure. Traditional security solutions often fall short in detecting rogue hardware and unmanaged assets, leaving healthcare organizations exposed. Sepio’s Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) Protection Platform delivers a hardware-centric security approach, ensuring complete asset visibility and Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) enforcement, in the following areas:
Comprehensive Asset Visibility: Sepio’s AssetDNA technology detects spoofed hardware and unauthorized devices at the Physical Layer, uncovering shadow IT risks that could threaten patient safety.
Granular Policy Enforcement: AI-driven policy automation ensures only trusted devices access critical systems. Policies adapt in real-time, minimizing attack surfaces and preventing unauthorized access.
Continuous Monitoring & Risk Assessment: Sepio provides precise device tracking across hospital networks and IoT environments, enabling swift response to cybersecurity threats in healthcare while ensuring compliance.
Trafficless Approach for Unmatched Visibility: Unlike traditional security tools, Sepio’s trafficless model delivers full visibility across encrypted and unencrypted environments without disrupting medical operations.
Protect Your Healthcare Organization with Sepio
With cybersecurity threats in healthcare on the rise, it is critical for hospitals, clinics, and medical research institutions to adopt advanced security measures. Sepio’s hardware-centric Zero Trust approach ensures that every device is accurately identified and continuously monitored, helping safeguard patient data and operational integrity.
Strengthen your healthcare security today. Schedule a demo with Sepio to see how AssetDNA technology can help you prevent and mitigate cybersecurity threats in the healthcare industry.
