Cybersecurity in healthcare is a strategic initiative in the medical industry, such as healthcare providers, health insurers, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies, aimed at protecting sensitive patient data and healthcare IT infrastructure from cyber threats. This is built to secure networks, applications, and Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) devices against unauthorized access and cyberattacks. Cybersecurity in healthcare is crucial for the operational resilience of healthcare providers.
According to experts, healthcare cybersecurity ensures that your medical services remain uninterrupted and protected from digital threats that could endanger a patient’s life. It implements robust cybersecurity measures and protects healthcare organizations against data breaches and cyberattacks, thereby fulfilling its responsibilities to provide secure and reliable care.
Why Is It Important: In the overly networked world, healthcare organizations face all kinds of threats which include targets against medical devices and cyber-physical systems (CPS), apart from traditional IT threats. In case your healthcare devices are compromised, it could lead to severe outcomes such as disrupted patient care or even loss of life.
Types Of Cyberattacks In Healthcare:
There are different kinds of cyberattacks in healthcare:
Ransomware Attack: By encrypting vital data and then demanding ransom for its release, ransomware can corrupt the entire healthcare system. Such an attack can block access to patient records, disrupt medical procedures, and even cause cancellations of critical surgeries.
Phishing Attack: Such attacks involve fake emails that appear to have come from legal and reputable sources to trick people into disclosing sensitive information, such as passwords or financial information.
Data Breaches: In this case, there is unauthorized access to sensitive data. In such cases, there is unauthorized access to sensitive data. These kinds of incidents include negligence, employee errors, tampering with medical records, and data theft by malicious insiders.
Insider Threats: The threat mostly comes from someone within the organization. There could be employees or contractors with access to the network who might misuse their privilege, to either maliciously steal information for personal gain or through negligence, such as downloading malware.
IoMT Device Hacking: Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) devices, such as pacemakers or insulin pumps, can be hacked to change their functionality, which could lead to harming a patient. This could result in a direct threat to patient safety.
Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs): For such threats, hackers infiltrate networks to steal data over a long period. Typically, healthcare institutions, with their big storage of valuable data, are prime targets for such attacks.
