Key Healthcare Cybersecurity Strategies and Tips to Keep You Safe

Over the last five years, the healthcare sector has seen an unprecedented rise in cyber attacks, including a 256% spike in data breaches and 265% spike in ransomware. Numbers like this, under other circumstances, would constitute a healthcare emergency, yet some aren’t treating it that way. As the Hippocratic Oath states, essentially, first do no harm. It’s time for healthcare organizations to ask whether their healthcare cybersecurity posture adheres to that core tenet.  

Understanding Healthcare Cybersecurity Risks and Threats

In the healthcare sector, cybersecurity risks and threats are constantly evolving, posing significant challenges to both healthcare organizations as well as patient data. In fact, 2023 set a record for 725 large healthcare security breaches, defined as 500 or more records. There were 720 in 2022 and that number keeps increasing year over year.

Given the sheer amount of personal information (PII) shared amongst healthcare providers, it’s easy to see why the healthcare industry is a prime target for cybercriminals. Protected Health Information (PHI), or more notably ePHI, is highly valuable on the black market, making healthcare organizations a lucrative target for ransomware attacks, data breaches, and phishing attacks.

But, it’s not just the quantity and quality of information that makes healthcare attractive to cybercriminals. The prevalence of outdated and legacy systems is a significant security vulnerability which can leave data either under or unprotected.

In fact, just 2 years ago, 73% of healthcare organizations reported still relying on legacy operating systems which are, in many cases, largely unsupported when it comes to updates and patches. This vulnerability makes healthcare a lucrative target.

Further, the rapid adoption of telehealth, cloud services, and remote patient monitoring has expanded the attack surface, introducing new vulnerabilities that cybercriminals are eager to exploit. The integration of Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) devices further complicates the security landscape, as these devices often come with minimal built-in security measures.

Perhaps most importantly, the healthcare sector must navigate regulatory compliance, including HIPAA’s Security Rule which mandates stringent data protection standards. These standards include security mandates for data in storage and transit including end-to-end encryption and auditable trails, as well as both physical and logical security measures.

Non-compliance not only results in severe financial penalties but also includes ongoing and long-lasting damages to an organization’s reputation. Consequently, healthcare organizations  must prioritize implementing robust security tools that can address multifaceted threats. This involves leveraging advanced threat detection, encryption, and continuous monitoring solutions tailored to the unique challenges of the healthcare environment.

Top Healthcare Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities

We’ve touched on some of the overarching challenges healthcare organizations face when balancing the demands of healthcare digitization, patient data security, patient privacy, and patient care.

However, there are some very specific vulnerabilities that may not be prioritized, especially when some healthcare organizations, including small practices, remain short staffed or simply don’t have the specialized IT staff which is also in short supply and high demand.  

Outdated and Unsupported Systems

As noted above, many healthcare providers continue to use outdated or unsupported systems despite their inability to receive crucial security patches, leaving them vulnerable to known exploits. These legacy systems often lack modern security features, such as advanced encryption and multi-factor authentication, making them easy targets for cyberattacks. 

Furthermore, integrating these outdated systems with newer technologies creates compatibility issues, potentially exposing healthcare networks to breaches and operational disruptions.

Telehealth and Remote Work Risks

The shift to telehealth and remote work in healthcare has significantly expanded the attack surface, exposing organizations to increased cybersecurity risks.

For example, remote endpoints, such as home computers and mobile devices, often lack the robust security measures found in controlled corporate environments, making them prime targets for cybercriminals.

Additionally, the surge in remote work has led to an uptick in phishing attacks, as cybercriminals exploit the lack of face-to-face communication and increased digital interactions. When we factor in an overburdened healthcare staff eager to work through emails, human error or lack of cybersecurity awareness becomes a compounding issue. 

IoMT Vulnerabilities

IoMT devices have revolutionized healthcare. Wearable devices, for example, provide unprecedented access to real-time patient data, changing the way providers deliver care. However, it also introduced new cybersecurity vulnerabilities. 

For example, many IoMT devices come with minimal built-in security features, often prioritizing functionality and ease of use over robust protection. These devices frequently rely on weak authentication and encryption protocols or on networks with minimal security, making it easier for cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access.

As a result, IoMT devices are highly susceptible to hijacking and data interception, where attackers can manipulate device functions or steal sensitive patient information. 

Data Breaches and Ransomware Attacks

Healthcare data breaches and ransomware attacks have become increasingly prevalent due to the high value of ePHI. In fact, healthcare organizations comprised the highest number of ransomware attacks with nearly 250 reported in 2023.

Targeted ransomware attacks, like we saw with the Change Healthcare attack, are particularly disruptive, often crippling healthcare services and delaying critical patient care. In the case of Change Healthcare nearly every aspect of the healthcare chain was impacted from payments to ePrescriptions.

These attacks exploit insufficient data encryption and inadequate protection measures, leaving healthcare organizations vulnerable to significant financial losses and reputational damage. 

Third-Party Vendor Risks and Insider Threats

Healthcare organizations often depend on third-party services and vendors to enhance operational efficiency and patient care. However, this reliance introduces significant cybersecurity risks due to inconsistent security practices across vendors.

Each third-party vendor may have different standards for data protection, creating vulnerabilities within the healthcare provider’s network.

Supply chain attacks can exploit weaker links within the vendor ecosystem to gain access to sensitive healthcare data. Therefore, Business Associate Agreements are required not only to comply with HIPAA regulations, but also to help mitigate supply chain attacks risks.
More specifically, healthcare organizations must ensure third-party vendors adhere to stringent security protocols. Further, regular auditing is crucial to safeguarding patient information and maintaining the integrity of healthcare systems.

Third-party actors are a real concern as well, whether vendors or insider threats. It’s important to note that not all insider threats are malicious. Negligent actions by employees also pose a substantial risk to healthcare cybersecurity.

Employees with access to sensitive data may intentionally leak information for personal gain or inadvertently cause data breaches through careless actions. The lack of training as well as inadequate monitoring and access controls compounds this risk, allowing unauthorized data access and leakage to go undetected. That means robust access controls, regular employee training on cybersecurity best practices, and continuous monitoring of user activities are essential strategies to mitigate insider threats.

Regulatory and HIPAA Compliance Challenges

HIPAA, as mentioned above, mandates rigorous protocols for handling and safeguarding PHI. Ensuring compliance is critical but adhering to such strict data protection regulations poses significant challenges, especially in the face of evolving cybersecurity threats and technological advancements.

Maintaining compliance across diverse and often complex systems adds another layer of difficulty. Healthcare environments typically comprise a mix of legacy systems, modern technologies, and third-party applications, each with its own security requirements and vulnerabilities.

Ensuring that all these systems meet regulatory standards requires continuous monitoring, regular audits, and a coordinated effort across all departments. The complexity is further compounded by the need to keep up with frequent regulatory updates and changes.

The financial and reputational risks of non-compliance are substantial. Financial costs can range from $137 to over $68,000 per violation. Depending on the size of the breach and the size of the practice or organization, any breach can easily strain financial resources and impact service delivery.

Beyond the immediate financial implications, non-compliance can severely damage an organization’s reputation, eroding patient trust and confidence. This loss of trust can have long-term consequences, as patients may choose to seek care from providers with better security track records, further impacting the organization’s financial health.

Healthcare Cybersecurity Strategies to Keep Organizations Secure

As cyber threats continue to evolve, implementing a comprehensive set of cybersecurity strategies can help healthcare organizations stay secure. These strategies involve a combination of technological solutions, policy measures, and ongoing vigilance to address the unique challenges faced by the industry.

1. Implement Advanced Encryption: Ensure data in transit and at rest is protected by strong encryption methods to safeguard sensitive patient information from unauthorized access.

2. Deploy Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Utilize MFA for accessing critical systems and data to add an extra layer of security beyond traditional username and password combinations.

3. Regular HIPAA Security Risk Assessments and Penetration Testing: The HIPAA Security Rule requires periodic security risk assessments to identify and address cyber risks. Penetration tests will uncover exploitable vulnerabilities in your systems and networks.

4. Adopt Comprehensive Threat Detection and Response Tools: Use advanced threat detection solutions, such as AI-driven analytics and real-time monitoring, to quickly identify and respond to potential security incidents.

5. Ensure Compliance with Regulations: Stay up-to-date with relevant data protection regulations, such as HIPAA, and implement policies and procedures to maintain compliance.

6. Educate and Train Staff: Provide ongoing cybersecurity training for employees to raise awareness about common threats, such as phishing, and best practices for data protection.

7. Secure Third-Party Vendor Connections: Assess the security practices of cloud service providers, third-party vendors and ensure that they and their applications meet your organization’s security standards to mitigate risks from supply chain vulnerabilities.

8. Implement Robust Access Controls: Use role-based access controls to limit access to sensitive data and systems based on employees’ roles and responsibilities, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

9. Protect IoMT Devices: Secure IoMT devices with strong authentication, encryption, and network segmentation to prevent them from becoming entry points for cyberattacks.

10. Develop and Test an Incident Response Plan: Establish a detailed incident response plan and regularly test it to ensure preparedness for potential security breaches or attacks.

Healthcare organizations must strengthen their cybersecurity posture to protect patient data and ensure the continuity of essential services in an increasingly complex threat landscape. From ransomware to data breaches, the threats are constantly evolving. Is your healthcare organization cybersecure?

If you’re looking to boost your cyber confidence, reach out to the SCA team today and let us get started on protecting your healthcare organization, your providers, and your patients.