Healthcare cybersecurity is a major concern for healthcare organizations and patients alike. In 2024, the healthcare industry faces several cybersecurity challenges, including the growing threat of ransomware, the increasing use of mobile devices in healthcare, and the need to comply with new regulations.
Ransomware
Ransomware is malware that encrypts a victim’s files and demands a ransom payment to decrypt them. Ransomware attacks have become increasingly common in the healthcare industry in recent years and can devastate organizations. In 2023, the average ransomware attack cost was $137,000; some attacks have cost organizations millions.
Mobile devices
The use of mobile devices in healthcare is growing rapidly. This has made it easier for healthcare providers to access patient information and communicate with colleagues, but it has also created new cybersecurity risks. Mobile devices are often more vulnerable to attack than traditional computers and can be lost or stolen more easily.
Regulatory compliance
The healthcare industry is subject to several cybersecurity regulations, including HIPAA and HITECH. These regulations require healthcare organizations to take steps to protect patient data from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction.
Healthcare Cybersecurity Trends in 2024
The following are some of the key cybersecurity trends that are expected to affect the healthcare industry in 2024:
The rising threat of ransomware
Ransomware attacks will continue to be a major threat to the healthcare industry in 2024. Healthcare organizations need to be proactive in their efforts to prevent and mitigate ransomware attacks.
Increased use of artificial intelligence (AI): AI is increasingly used in the healthcare industry, creating new cybersecurity challenges. AI systems can be vulnerable to attack and can also be used to automate attacks.
The need for Zero Trust security: Zero Trust security is a security model that assumes that no user or device is trusted by default. This model requires organizations to verify the identity of users and devices before granting them access to resources.
Healthcare cybersecurity best practices
Healthcare organizations can take several steps to improve their cybersecurity posture, including:
Implementing a layered security approach: This involves using a combination of different security controls, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and data encryption.
Educating employees about cybersecurity: Employees are often the weakest link in an organization’s cybersecurity defenses. Healthcare organizations must provide employees with training on identifying and avoiding cybersecurity threats.
Regularly testing and updating security systems: Healthcare organizations should periodically test their security systems to identify vulnerabilities and ensure they are up to date with the latest threats.
Conclusion
Healthcare cybersecurity is a complex and ever-changing field. Healthcare organizations need to be constantly vigilant in their efforts to protect patient data from unauthorized access. By taking the steps outlined in this article, healthcare organizations can help mitigate cyberattack risks.
This article is originally published by
The SafetyDetectives research lab is a pro bono service that aims to help the online community defend itself against cyber threats while educating organizations on protecting their users’ data. The overarching purpose of our web mapping project is to help make the Internet a safer place for all users.
Here is the link to the original article: Healthcare Cybersecurity: The Biggest Stats and Trends in 2024
Many thanks to Olivia Sewray for bringing this to my attention.