If you had to guess which industry is most targeted by cyber-attackers what would you say? Banks? Credit Unions? Other financial institutions? Guess again.
In 2015, the healthcare industry beat out financial services to become the biggest hacker target, a competition which I’m sure they were thrilled to win.
I realize that I may have just broke your brain, but have no fear – answers are here! Today we’ll go over what makes the healthcare industry such an easy target, why anyone would want to attack it in the first place, as well as a few simple steps we can take to stop this madness.
What Makes The Healthcare Industry So Vulnerable?
Connected devices such as tablets, laptops, and smartphones are one of the key reasons that make the health care industry so susceptible to serious cybersecurity issues. About 70% of all clinicians use mobile devices of some sort to view patient information, and over 41% use them to get clinical data.
Internet-connected medical devices tend to have major vulnerabilities and are highly susceptible to security threats. This is due to a combination of long product lifespans, regulatory oversight, and niche usage.
Why Attack The Healthcare Industry?
Hackers value the information contained in healthcare data, such as social security numbers and home addresses, more than any other type of data. Why? It’s lucrative.
Once this personal information is obtained it can then be sold to third party buyers to be used for anything from marketing campaigns and spam mail to data analysis and identity theft.
How Does a Breach Occur?
As we covered before mobile devices are a large part of the problem, but there are many other issues that occur as well, including:
- Workers using unauthorized cloud-based apps
- Doctors providing workers with their usernames and passwords
- Unlocked storage facilities containing patient information
How Can We Protect Ourselves?
Ransomware, malware, and denial-of-service are the top cyber threats facing healthcare organizations today. Thankfully, there are several steps we can take to help prevent these attacks, including but not limited to:
- Access controls
- Encrypt information
- Train medical staff to detect and avoid phishing attacks in emails
- Backing up data
- Restricting user access
For more great information on protecting patient information please take a look at the infographic below, courtesy of the awesome folks at UIC.
University of Illinois at Chicago
Interested in making health informatics a career? Be sure to check out UIC’s Online Health Informatics Degree for an accredited organization you can trust!
The shocking revelation that healthcare has eclipsed finance as the prime target for cyberattacks underscores an urgent need for fortified security measures to safeguard sensitive patient data.
It is honestly startling to realize that hospitals and clinics have overtaken financial institutions as the primary target for cyber threats. Given the sensitivity of personal health records, it makes sense that hackers would prioritize such valuable data, yet the industry seems woefully underprepared. This deep dive is a necessary wake-up call for anyone involved in digital health management.
It is truly alarming how much more vulnerable healthcare data has become compared to the financial sector. The sheer volume of sensitive personal information makes these facilities a goldmine for attackers, highlighting a critical need for more robust security protocols. Thank you for shedding light on the underlying reasons why this industry has become such a high-priority target.
It is honestly startling to see how healthcare has surpassed the financial sector as the primary target for cyber threats. This breakdown of the underlying vulnerabilities is a necessary read for anyone involved in data management. I appreciate you shedding light on these critical security gaps; it is a vital conversation for protecting sensitive patient records.
I admire your ability to convey such detailed information in an accessible way. This article is a valuable contribution to the field and a pleasure to read.
Strong protection starts with robust cybersecurity practices—encrypting data, using secure networks, and keeping systems updated.
The essential lesson for protection is clear: encrypt information and prioritize employee training on fraud and access control.
Great insights on safeguarding patient data! In today’s digital age, even healthcare providers can benefit from professional PPC Services in Pakistan to promote secure and compliant online practices while maintaining patient trust.
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The number of healthcare breaches is increasing. That’s why we should learn to protect our information. Read this article to get some suggestions.
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