Due to the large amounts of sensitive data healthcare organizations collect daily, they are a major target for cybercriminals. This danger only becomes more present as the industry increasingly relies on technology. These cyber threats endanger the safety of patients, and pose a significant challenge to daily operations. To protect themselves, healthcare organizations must familiarize themselves with the most common cyber-attacks they are likely to face.
1. Ransomware Attacks
Ransomware attacks are one of the biggest cyber threats to watch for. In these attacks, malicious software is employed to encrypt an organization’s data, rendering it inaccessible until a ransom is paid. Newer techniques used by threat actors include double and triple extortion, where they additionally threaten to release the data or even conduct further attacks.
Ransomware can devastate a healthcare facility, in some cases halting operations entirely due to staff’s inability to access necessary patient information. To prevent these attacks, organizations should backup their data and invest in advanced threat detection technologies. If attacked, they should never pay the ransom, as this does not guarantee the safe return of data.
2. Phishing Scams
Phishing scams remain a highly effective tool for cybercriminals to infiltrate healthcare systems. They trick the victim into giving away sensitive information or clicking a link that will download malware, by pretending to be legitimate attempts at contact. They can take many forms, such as emails, voice calls (vishing), or SMS (smishing). Because they rely on human error, they are extremely effective in an industry where staff are exhausted from juggling many tasks under high pressure and are more likely to make mistakes.
Organizations should implement measures to allow staff to rest, so that they are more likely to apply critical thinking rather than acting on instinct. This should be combined with regular cybersecurity training that emphasizes the importance of vigilance. Finally, simulations and drills should be run to test employee knowledge. This will allow organizations to identify and address gaps before they lead to a breach.
3. Insider Threats
While external cyber threats dominate the headlines, danger can just as easily come from inside the organization. Threats can originate from current or former employees, contractors, or anyone else who has access to important systems and data. These individuals may unintentionally or intentionally misuse their access, leading to security incidents.
To address these threats, healthcare organizations should enforce strict access controls such as multi-factor authentication (MFA). They must also monitor user activity, and establish clear policies regarding data handling and confidentiality so that staff understand what they can and cannot do.
4. IoT Vulnerabilities
The Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized the healthcare industry by enabling advancements such as remote monitoring, real-time data collection, and vastly improved patient care. However, IoT devices also represent a security risk. Many, such as wearable health monitors, smart infusion pumps, and connected imaging systems, do not have proper cybersecurity capabilities. This makes it easy for threat actors to exploit them and gain unauthorized access.
Organizations must do all they can to protect IoT devices. Implementing access control where possible, and regularly updating and patching software are a good start. It is also important to secure the network that IoT devices connect to. If devices are being taken home by patients or staff, they should be instructed on secure practices.
5. DDoS Attacks
Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks pose a significant threat to the healthcare sector. During a DDoS attack, cybercriminals flood an organization’s network with traffic, rendering its services unavailable. This disruption is catastrophic in healthcare, where timely access to information and communication can be a life-or-death matter. In some cases, DDoS attacks will also be used as a smokescreen to distract from other malicious activities.
To prevent DDoS attacks, traffic filtering and rate limiting can help prevent networks from being flooded. An incident response plan is also critical, to minimize the impact if an attack does occur and ensure a fast recovery.
Prepare Your Organization for Cyber Threats
In healthcare, cybersecurity should be a top priority at all times. The consequences of a breach could range from sensitive patient data being sold online to physical harm caused as a result of medical staff being unable to do their jobs. It is incredibly important to understand some of the most common cyber-attacks that occur in this industry, so that organizations can be prepared to stop them. Personnel must take a proactive approach and use best practices to protect data and patients.
The experts at CyOp Security specializes in healthcare, and can help your organization prepare for incoming threats. We can teach your staff to recognize and stop potential cyber-attacks, transforming them into a human firewall capable of defending patient data against anything that comes their way. Explore our cybersecurity awareness training services, and discover how we can turn your staff into the ultimate cyber defense force.