Why is Healthcare a prime target in cyber-attacks? Imagine an attack that halts emergency rooms, delays surgeries, or exposes private health data for extortion. This is the reality as cybercriminals target healthcare systems, exploiting the people who rely on them. Since 20121, healthcare has accounts for 17.8% of all breaches and 18.2% of ransomware attacks, surpassing finance, government, and education.
The root cause? Poor cybersecurity hygiene. The consequences of failing to address vulnerabilities in this sector are devastating—and often life-threatening.
Why Healthcare is a Prime Target
Unlike other industries, healthcare breaches can have direct impacts on lives. Cybercriminals exploit:
- Interconnected Systems: Patient records, medical devices, and operational tools create a vast attack surface.
- Sensitive Data: Personal health information is valuable for extortion and data theft.
- Critical Operations: Ransomware attacks can disable life-saving systems, putting lives at risk.
The Role of Cybersecurity Hygiene
Many breaches stem from basic vulnerabilities, such as unpatched software, insecure networks, and unencrypted communications. Organizations with strong cybersecurity hygiene—regular updates, encryption, and secure practices—are far less likely to experience attacks. Yet, many healthcare institutions fall short, leaving critical systems exposed.
How Healthcare Can Improve Cybersecurity
- Continuous Monitoring
Regular system audits help identify and address vulnerabilities before they are exploited. - 24/7 Security Operations
Nearly half of ransomware attacks occur from Friday to Sunday2. Around-the-clock security is essential to stay protected. - Third-Party Risk Management
Vendors and partners often have weaker defenses. Scrutinize their cybersecurity measures and monitor them regularly to avoid supply chain vulnerabilities. - Patching and Encryption
Timely software updates and securing services like Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) are essential to block common attack vectors. - Incident Response Planning
Prepare for the worst with tested response plans and robust backup strategies to quickly restore critical systems after an attack.
Securing the Future of Healthcare
Why is Heathcare a prime target in cyber-attacks? Healthcare has many areas of entry for hackers and there is often no continual maintenance of cyber hygiene. However, proactive cybersecurity hygiene is no longer optional in healthcare—it’s critical to safeguarding lives and operations. By addressing vulnerabilities and adopting strong defense strategies, healthcare organizations can protect their systems and, most importantly, their patients.
Remaining consistently vigilant against healthcare cyber-attacks is no small feat. Often there are tools and strategies your organization may be unaware of and can be used in tandem with your in-house team. Let’s chat more and get your organization comprehensively bolstered.
Sources:
- “Cybersecurity Hygiene of the Healthcare Sector – A case for mandatory benchmarking for performance improvement” January 16, 2024
- “The 2024 state of ransomware” April 2024