Cybersecurity Risks in Healthcare Industry in 2023 and How to Deal with It?

In recent years, cybersecurity risks and frequent attacks have become a significant concern for the healthcare industry. In 2023, the threat landscape is expected to become even more complex and sophisticated. Cybercriminals are developing new and more advanced ways to exploit vulnerabilities in health care organizations’ systems and networks. This has serious implications for patients, providers, and other stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem.

Recent Cyberattacks on Indian Hospitals:

1. Apollo Hospitals, 2017: Apollo Hospitals, which is one of the largest hospital chains in India, was hit by a ransom ware attack that led to the temporary shutdown of its computer systems. The attack affected patient records and appointment schedules, causing a delay in patient care.
2. WannaCry attack, 2017: In May 2017, the WannaCry ransomware attack impacted hospitals across the world, including some in India. The attack exploited a gap in Microsoft Windows operating systems and resulted in the encryption of hospital data.
3. Max Healthcare, 2018: Max Healthcare, a leading hospital chain in India, suffered a data breach in late 2018. The cyber attack exposed the personal information of over 2.5 million patients, including names, addresses, and phone numbers.
4. Manipal Hospitals, 2020: In September 2020, Manipal Hospitals, a prominent hospital chain in India, was hit by a ransomware attack. The attackers demanded a monetary value in exchange for restoring access to patient data, medical records, and other critical systems.
5. Dr. Lal PathLabs, 2021: In May 2021, Dr. Lal PathLabs, a distinguished diagnostic laboratory chain in India, experienced a data breach that exposed the personal information of over 1 million patients. The breach involved a hacking group that demanded a huge monetary amount in exchange for not publishing the data online.

Cybersecurity Risks in Healthcare Industry:

Cybersecurity risks in healthcare are multiple and can cause severe damage to the reputation and finances of healthcare providers. Healthcare data breaches can result in the exposure of sensitive patient data, including medical records, social security numbers, and financial information, which can be sold on the dark web for high price. This data can then be used for identity theft, insurance fraud, or other malicious purposes.

Healthcare industry is an attractive target for cyber criminals because it holds a wealth of sensitive data such as personal health information (PHI), financial data, and personally identifiable information (PII). The theft or misuse of such data can have destorying consequences for patients and health care organizations.

Healthcare cybersecurity threats are constantly evolving, with new tactics and techniques being used by cybercriminals. Phishing attacks, ransomware, and social engineering attacks are some of the common techniques used to gain access to healthcare networks and steal sensitive data.

Cybersecurity Challenges in Healthcare Industry:

In 2023, the health care industry is likely to face new and evolving cybersecurity risks. These risks include the following:

1. Ransomware attacks: In recent years, ransomware attacks have become a major threat to the health care industry. In 2023, these attacks are expected to become even more common and sophisticated. Ransomware attacks involve the encryption of data, making it impossible for patient care organizations to access it until a ransom is paid.
2. Insider threats: Patient care organizations are vulnerable to insider threats, which can be intentional or accidental. In 2023, healthcare organizations are likely to face an increased risk of insider threats due to the rise of remote work, which can create new opportunities for insider attacks.
3. Supply chain attacks: In 2023, supply chain attacks are expected to become more prevalent in the health care industry. These attacks involve targeting third-party vendors that provide software or hardware to patient care organizations. Supply chain attacks can be very difficult to detect and can have far-reaching consequences.
4. IoT attacks: The increasing use of Internet of Things (IoT) devices in patient care creates new vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit. In 2023, the healthcare industry is expected to face an increased risk of IoT attacks.

How to minimize Cybersecurity Risks in Healthcare Industry?

To mitigate these cybersecurity concerns, healthcare professionals must incorporate strong cybersecurity into hospital practises. To prevent unauthorised access, employ firewalls, encryption, and multi-factor authentication. Regular security audits and training sessions for employees can also aid in the prevention of cybersecurity issues.

In addition to technical solutions, healthcare providers must emphasise cybersecurity in the ethos of the healthcare industry. This includes creating a cybersecurity awareness culture and advocating safe practises among personnel and patients. Encourage the use of secure passwords, set access controls, and routinely update software and systems to protect against vulnerabilities.

Action points to address Cyber Security Concerns:

To address these cyber security concerns, patient care organisations must adopt a proactive approach to cyber security. This entails creating a comprehensive cyber security plan that incorporates the following measures:

1. Conducting frequent risk assessments: Patient care organisations must undertake regular risk assessments to identify weaknesses and address them proactively.

2. Implementing access controls: Access controls such as two-factor authentication and role-based access can assist prevent unauthorised access to sensitive data.

3. Providing cyber security training: Healthcare organisations must give regular cyber security training to their workers in order to enhance knowledge about cyber security threats and best practises.

4. Keeping software and systems up to date: Healthcare organisations must maintain their software and systems up to date in order to defend themselves from known vulnerabilities.

5. Creating an incident response strategy: To respond swiftly and effectively to cybersecurity problems, healthcare organisations must have a well-defined incident response plan.

6. Carrying out frequent cyber security audits: Healthcare organisations must carry out regular cybersecurity assessments to detect holes and vulnerabilities in their cyber security plan.

In 2023, healthcare providers must also be prepared for the possibility of cyber attacks on the healthcare industry. This involves having an incident response plan in place to quickly identify and contain any cybersecurity incidents. Regular backups and disaster recovery plans can also help minimize the impact of a cyber attack.

Conclusion:

Being proactive and implementing a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy is the most effective way to cope with healthcare cyber threats. In 2023, cybersecurity hazards in the healthcare business are likely to rise. Health care organisations must be proactive in their approach to cyber security by implementing a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy that includes regular risk assessments, access controls, cyber security training, updating software and systems, developing an incident response plan, and conducting regular cybersecurity audits. Health care organisations may preserve their patients’ data and continue to deliver high-quality care in a safe and secure environment by adopting these actions.

Authored by Prerna Kumari, @mymedwriter