The current states of cyber threats and data-stealing attacks have massively increased in the digital healthcare industry globally. Healthcare is now highly-targeted and increasingly vulnerable as the next wave of connected devices hits an already complex technology environment.
One in every 600 attacks in the healthcare sector involve advanced malware. In fact, the healthcare sector is four times more likely to be impacted by advanced malware than any other industry. With many organizations lacking budget and the administrative, technical or organizational skills necessary to detect, mitigate and prevent cyber-attacks, advanced malware presents a significant threat to healthcare infrastructure.
Research reveals the healthcare industry sees 340 percent more security incidents and attacks than the average industry and, as a result, is more likely to be impacted by data theft. Medical information is 10 times more valuable on the black market making healthcare a major target for cybercriminals. The proliferation of electronic health records creates a data-heavy environment, while networks comprising thousands of providers present an enormous attack surface.
In fact the healthcare sector is 74 percent more likely to be impacted by phishing schemes. A lack of effective security awareness training and employee security awareness programs often compounds the danger of increased phishing attempts, resulting in more security incidents.
Healthcare is 4.5 times more likely to be impacted by Cryptowall and three times more likely to be impacted by Dyre. First used to target the financial sector successfully stealing hundreds of millions of dollars, new exploit capabilities make Dyre malware a significant data loss threat for healthcare organizations worldwide, while Cryptowall encrypts and holds hostage critical healthcare data for ransom.
The need of the time is to create a comprehensive healthcare IT strategy keeping in view the impact of connected medical devices to patient security to protect organizations from the latest cyber-attacks and data theft.