Understanding cyber risk factors in healthcare

In a world increasingly dependent on interconnected systems, network and server outages have highlighted the fragility of the internet and the cloud. Amid these vulnerabilities, the healthcare sector stands out as particularly susceptible due to the operational, reputational and health implications of cyberattacks on hospitals.

In the past, threat actors mainly respected hospitals as off-limits, but that is far from the case today. Hackers not only target hospitals today but often consider them “soft” or easy targets given the valuable troves of data they store. They have a lot to lose.

Sensitive data
From blood type to insurance credentials to medical and payment histories, hospitals manage some of the most sensitive data a person can generate. When a hospital’s data is compromised, it could have serious effects on patient outcomes. The leaking or improper changing of confidential patient records, for example, can be both distressing and life-threatening.

Say a hospital is in the midst of a ransomware attack and the hacker informs them they have changed details in certain patient files but they won’t tell them which ones until they pay the ransom. This causes a major concern for patient care because medical professionals cannot trust any of their digital files, which inform them of critical information such as drug allergies or existing conditions that are necessary for determining a safe care plan.

Additionally, when patient data is leaked, hospitals may suffer a myriad of consequences, running afoul of HIPAA regulations and possibly leaving them subject to fines and penalties. All of these valid concerns need to be balanced with the push for innovation in both the quality of care on site as well as safety of solutions in remote care.

Critical healthcare systems and devices
Perhaps more worrying is the potential compromise of healthcare systems and devices at large, either through malicious interference or a software glitch. Compromised systems and devices, ranging from administrative software to hacked insulin pumps, pacemakers and more, can impact an entire network of facilities simultaneously, preventing doctors, nurses, administrators and other healthcare professionals from doing their jobs effectively.

In such scenarios, physicians may need to pivot to manual care and record keeping, slowing down processes and potentially leading to postponed procedures and treatment. This, in turn, can result in longer hours for workers and a longer stay for patients, raising overhead costs for everyone.

Third-party risks
The modern health ecosystem, with partners ranging from device makers to electronic record providers to billing partners, can create opportunities for innovation while also elevating supply chain risks. For instance, today’s hospitals engage various third parties, such as diagnostic labs. A hospital may deal with several different labs for a variety of tests. These labs collect patient information, insurance, payment details and so on—all of which can present opportunities for threat actors to find ways in or for a software glitch to wreak havoc on interdependent systems.

Because of the depth of information gathered on patients across numerous providers, electronic medical records are often a prime target for threat actors. According to 2024’s Mobile Security Index (MSI), almost two-thirds (64%) of healthcare respondents said their organization allowed remote access to electronic patient records. This practice also coincides with the rise of telehealth, which dramatically increased as a result of the pandemic. Smaller organizations are less likely to have mature cybersecurity programs. The more distributed patient records are across the data supply chain, the greater the risk of compromise.

While it is incredibly important to carefully assess third parties with access to medical information, it is equally as important to police access controls internally.

Access controls
In healthcare, security threats also come from within via malicious and non-malicious actors. There has been an uptick in malicious internal actors, though an even bigger internal cybersecurity challenge is not malicious at all. Misdelivery is one of the biggest culprits of leaked information, often via errant emails.

The risk occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally shares the wrong information. To address this, strong access controls are essential, particularly in healthcare settings. These controls ensure that hospital administrators cannot access sensitive data they shouldn’t, and even physicians are limited to the information necessary for their roles.

By restricting access based on roles and departments, healthcare organizations can reduce the risk of both malicious actions and honest mistakes like misdelivered emails. Additionally, these controls can help prevent the inadvertent sharing of information with third parties, which can also have serious consequences.

Maintaining digital health
The healthcare sector faces a myriad of cybersecurity threats that can severely impact patient safety, data privacy and operational continuity. Healthcare organizations should proactively address these risks by implementing robust cybersecurity measures, including stringent access controls, thorough third-party risk management and a well-defined incident response plan. Maintaining strict compliance with HIPAA regulations and other relevant data privacy laws is also essential.

By prioritizing cybersecurity and fostering a culture of vigilance, healthcare organizations can better protect their patients, their reputation and their critical infrastructure. A proactive approach to cybersecurity is not just a best practice but a necessity in today’s interconnected healthcare landscape. Forbes