The healthcare sector is a common target for cybercriminals. In fact, according to Check Point Research (CPR), healthcare organisations experienced 1,426 attacks per week in 2022.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, the financial toll on healthcare due to data breaches has surged. Healthcare continues to experience the highest data breach costs of all industries, increasing from $10.10 million in 2022 to $10.93 million in 2023—an increase of 8.2%.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the reasons behind the healthcare sector’s vulnerability to cyber attacks, the types of threats faced, and the challenges encountered in the realm of cyber security. Additionally, we’ll delve into the critical importance of Security Awareness Training for the NHS and strategies to enhance cyber resilience.
Why Healthcare? A Target for Cybercrime
Rich Data Repositories: NHS Trusts hold a treasure trove of sensitive and valuable information, including patient records, medical histories, and financial data. This wealth of data makes it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking to exploit or sell personal information on the dark web.
Critical Infrastructure Dependency: Hospitals and healthcare facilities heavily rely on interconnected systems and electronic health records. The disruption or compromise of these systems can have severe consequences, affecting patient care, treatment plans, and overall hospital operations. Cybercriminals often exploit this dependency to cause chaos and demand ransoms.
Monetary Gain: The financial motivation behind cyber attacks in healthcare cannot be overlooked. According to Verizon’s 2023 Data Breach Investigation Report, ransomware attacks have surged in the industry, with cybercriminals encrypting sensitive data and demanding ransoms for its release.
Types of Cyber Attacks in Healthcare
Ransomware Attacks: Ransomware has become a pervasive threat in the healthcare sector. Attackers encrypt sensitive data, rendering it inaccessible until a ransom is paid. The WannaCry attacks in 2017 demonstrated the devastating impact ransomware can have on the NHS.
Phishing and Social Engineering: Cybercriminals frequently use phishing emails and social engineering tactics to gain unauthorised access to healthcare systems. By tricking employees into divulging login credentials or clicking on malicious links, attackers can infiltrate networks and compromise sensitive information.
Insider Threats: Insiders, whether intentional or unintentional, pose a significant risk to cyber security in healthcare. Employees with access to sensitive data may unintentionally expose information through negligence, or malicious insiders may intentionally leak or steal data for personal gain.
Challenges in Cyber Security for the Healthcare Industry
Many healthcare organisations continue to use legacy systems that may lack the latest security features. Interoperability challenges further complicate the implementation of robust cyber security measures, leaving vulnerabilities that can be exploited.
The majority of breaches related to data privacy in healthcare are the result of employee error and unauthorised disclosure. In the already overstretched world of hospitals, it is no wonder that security awareness is not top of mind for most workers.
Healthcare organisations must comply with a myriad of regulations, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Achieving and maintaining compliance while also adapting to evolving security threats is a delicate balancing act that requires continuous effort and investment.
From cleaning supplies, to CRM appointment reminder software and scanning machines, to climate-controlled transport of drugs, the healthcare system is a highly complex supply chain. This makes security practices hard to incorporate.
Tailored Security Awareness Training for the NHS
In 2023, the global average cost of a data breach reached an alarming $4.45 million, with a significant 82% of these incidents attributing to human error. This emphasises the critical need for targeted Security Awareness Training initiatives to address the human element in data breaches.
The 2022 Global Cybersecurity study underscores the consensus among 87% of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) that effective IT security is unattainable without comprehensive employee training.
MetaCompliance offers a personalised Security Awareness Training solution designed to engage employees and cultivate the heightened vigilance necessary to bolster cyber judgment. Unlike generic approaches, MetaCompliance’s solution acknowledges the inadequacy of a one-size-fits-all strategy.
Tailored to meet the unique requirements of each organisation, this bespoke solution adapts to specific roles, responsibilities, and cultural nuances. By customising Security Awareness Training in this manner, organisations can transform security behaviours, empowering employees with the knowledge and skills crucial for effectively defending against evolving threats.
Conclusion
As the NHS continues its digital transformation, the need for tailored Security Awareness Training becomes paramount. By understanding the motivations behind cyber attacks, recognising the types of threats faced, and addressing the unique challenges encountered, NHS trusts can strive to fortify their defences and safeguard the sensitive information entrusted to them.
To read more, visit: Security Awareness Training for the NHS
