Cybersecurity threats in healthcare 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 attacks that could compromise both privacy and patient safety.
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 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.
Healthcare Cybersecurity Investment Gaps
Unfortunately, cybersecurity in healthcare often suffers 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. 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 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 cybersecurity 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 healthcare cybersecurity threats 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
The healthcare industry is also no stranger to 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.
This must come as a shock since doctors often make us feel safe and protected… their job is to save lives after all. So how do these attacks get carried out? Well, as mentioned, the healthcare industry does not prioritize cybersecurity. Of course, it is because they are prioritizing us, but we can’t be protected unless the industry is cyber protected. By prioritizing our well-being, healthcare employees lack the awareness of how risky cyberattacks are and how their actions can be the greatest cause of them. The healthcare industry is the worst offender when it comes to insider attacks, being the only industry where internal actors cause more breaches than external ones.
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 devices in healthcare has significantly increased cybersecurity risks. 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.
In addition to the damage to patient trust, cyberattacks also impose a massive financial burden. 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.
Protect Your Healthcare Organization from Cybersecurity Threats
Cybersecurity in healthcare is more critical than ever. Don’t wait for a healthcare cyber attack to compromise patient safety and data integrity. Strengthen your organization’s security measures today by adopting advanced solutions and providing staff with comprehensive training. Get started now to safeguard your patients and operations. Schedule a Demo.
