As healthcare providers, your primary focus is providing the best care possible to your patients. You devote your time and attention to ensuring that your patients receive the best treatment and their medical records remain confidential. However, medical professionals like yourself should also take a keen interest in cybersecurity. Unfortunately, healthcare providers are prime targets for cybercriminals because of the sensitive information they collect and store. In this blog post, we will highlight some shocking cybersecurity facts about healthcare that all doctors and dentists must be aware of.

1. Healthcare is the most targeted industry for cyber attacks

According to the 2020 Cost of Cyber Crime Study by Accenture, healthcare was the most targeted industry for cyber attacks. A staggering 43% of all cyber attacks were targeted at the healthcare sector. This is due to the high value of medical records on the black market and the relatively weak cybersecurity protocols of most healthcare facilities. As a healthcare provider, you are not only responsible for your own cybersecurity but also for that of your patients.

2. Medical records are worth 10 times more than credit card information 

Medical records contain a wealth of information that cybercriminals can use for identity theft and other malicious activities. In fact, medical records are worth 10 times more than credit card information on the black market. This is because medical records contain sensitive information such as social security numbers, date of birth, medical history, and billing information. Cybercriminals can use this information for insurance fraud, prescription drug abuse, and more.

3. Insider threats are a significant risk to cybersecurity 

Not all cybersecurity threats come from outside your organization. Insider threats, such as employees mishandling patient data or accessing data they shouldn't, are also a significant risk to cybersecurity. Unfortunately, the 2020 Cost of Cyber Crime Study reports that healthcare has the second-highest costs associated with insider threats. As a healthcare provider, it is crucial to ensure that your staff is trained on cybersecurity protocols and that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive patient data.

4. Healthcare providers often lack basic cybersecurity measures

Many healthcare facilities lack basic cybersecurity measures such as updating software and implementing complex passwords. According to the 2020 State of Healthcare Security report from CynergisTek, 83% of the top 20 critical vulnerabilities discovered by security researchers in medical devices involved authentication and cryptographic weaknesses. Furthermore, only 44% of healthcare employees receive regular cybersecurity training.

5. Ransomware attacks are becoming more frequent in healthcare 

Ransomware attacks involve encrypting a system or data and then demanding payment for the decryption key. These attacks are becoming more frequent in healthcare, and the 2020 Cost of Cyber Crime Study estimates that the average cost of a successful ransomware attack against a healthcare organization is over $1.5 million. It is crucial for healthcare providers to have robust backup protocols so that they can restore their systems quickly in case of a ransomware attack.

Conclusion: 

In conclusion, cybersecurity threats are a significant risk to healthcare providers. Hackers are becoming more sophisticated and targeted, and healthcare facilities must take proactive measures to prevent attacks. By implementing basic cybersecurity measures, regularly training staff, and identifying and mitigating insider threats, healthcare providers can help secure patient data and protect their organizations against costly cyber attacks. Stay vigilant, stay informed, and stay safe!