A new report from SonicWall sheds some alarming light on cyberattacks in the U.S. healthcare industry. By 2024, over 14 million patients will have been affected by data breaches resulting from cyberattacks on healthcare organizations.
Most (91%) of these data breaches were initiated by ransomware. Attackers have realized that the threat of leaking sensitive healthcare information increases the likelihood of ransom payments.
The researchers commented: “It’s no secret that healthcare is a data-driven industry. Organizations store a huge amount of sensitive personal and medical information, such as social security numbers, medical histories, and financial data. This information is extremely valuable on the black market.”
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Furthermore, attacks that cause disruption of access to medical systems can be very dangerous to patients' lives, meaning that healthcare organizations are more likely to pay ransoms to return to normal operations.
The report showed that the rapid adoption of digital tools, platforms and artificial intelligence applications has provided more opportunities for attacks on healthcare organizations, resulting in a significant increase in ransomware and data breaches.
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However, in most cases, ransomware groups appear to exploit critical vulnerabilities in systems, which allow for network, privilege escalation, and ultimately ransomware deployment and data breach.
Healthcare organizations use many digital systems, such as electronic health records, telemedicine platforms, and internet of medical things (IoMT) devices, which can contain security vulnerabilities. Approximately 60% of vulnerabilities exploited against healthcare in 2024 targeted Microsoft Exchange .
Consequences of data breaches in the healthcare sector
The potential consequences of data breaches in the health sector and on individuals’ medical information can be serious and impact individuals’ privacy and security. When health information falls into the wrong hands, sensitive personal information, such as medical records, medical history and treatment information, can be disclosed. This can lead to a breach of privacy and put safety and well-being at risk.
See also: Healthcare provider LVHN pays $65 million after Ransomware attack
Data breaches can also lead to fraud and identity theft . Malicious users can use health information to mislead or steal individuals' identities , causing financial loss and problems in their personal and family lives
Additionally, health data breaches can lead to health problems and poor quality of care. When health information falls into the wrong hands, there can be misuse of the information, misdiagnosis ,incorrect treatment, or delay in providing medical care. This can have serious consequences for the health and well-being of individuals.
Source: www.infosecurity-magazine.com
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