Do healthcare organizations have strong cyber security procedures in place to guard against and address cyber threats? How would they protect their crucial IT system and private patient information?
Digital transformation by utilizing the applications with cutting-edge technology like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), the Internet of Things (IoT), and more, in the field of healthcare make the sector more vulnerable to the cyber world. Globally Cyber Attacks against the healthcare sector have shown a tremendous growth in the year 2022. Make sure your Hospital is designed in such a way to meet the next pandemic cyber attacks. Redesign your #CyberSecurity poster to ensure patient safety, data confidentiality, and to continuous healthcare service.
The CRC 21 unit of Strava Cyber Labs - A Cyber Defence Centre has released the findings on the Cyber Security Gaps in Health Care Sectors in India based on the study conducted after the Cyber attack on AIIMS.
Common ways hackers are using to target the healthcare industry:-
- Hackers are exploiting vulnerabilities in EHRs to steal patient data, such as medical records, financial information, and Social Security numbers. This data can be used for a variety of purposes, such as identity theft, fraud, or even physical attacks.
- Attacking medical IOT devices such as pacemakers, insulin pumps, X-ray machines, Operating room equipment, Defibrillators, Drug infusion pumps, MRI machines, Patient monitoring systems, Wearable medical devices , Laboratory equipment , and CT scanners , etc is another way . This can allow them to disable the devices or even take control of them. This can have serious consequences for patients, as it can disrupt their care or even lead to death.
- Attacking healthcare networks, Hackers can also attack the networks that connect healthcare organizations to the internet. This can allow them to steal data from healthcare organizations, such as patient data or financial information. It can also disrupt the operation of healthcare organizations, making it difficult for them to provide care.
Establish a cyber security culture
Common ways hackers are using to target the healthcare industry:-
- Implement a Security posture : Maintain an optimal security posture in each of IT, Cloud & IOT assets that handles the sensitive information of patient data in your hospital.
- Invest in Cyber Security : When creating your budgets for digital transformation in hospitals, you must take cyber security as the first priority to safeguard the patient's life too.
- Educate your staff : The first line of defense against cyber attacks is a well-trained workforce. Make sure your staff is aware of the latest cyber threats in the healthcare sector and how to protect themselves and the organization from them.
- Implement strong security measures : This includes using strong passwords, firewalls, antivirus software and cyber security solutions. You should also implement data encryption to protect sensitive data in the event of a breach.
- Keep your systems up to date & Back up your data regularly : Software updates often include security patches that can help to protect your systems from known vulnerabilities. Also make sure with your vendors that they must release security patches and Backup help you to recover your data from a data breach or other disaster.
- Cyber Risk Mitigation Plan : Healthcare sector must onboard a cyber risk mitigation plan to avoid or handle an unexpected cyber attack.
- Onboard a Cyber Security Team : Before hitting the next data breach, you should have a cyber security team onboard to respond to the breach. And the team should be capable of taking proper measures including steps to notify affected individuals, to investigate the breach, and to take steps to prevent future breaches.
Rebuilding your hospital security infrastructure i.e., on system, device & workforce using different technologies & security solutions/ products might reduce the complexities and security gaps in your organization.