Many healthcare organizations have become increasingly susceptible to cyberattacks. These threats compromise sensitive patient information while targeting day-to-day operations. An effective combat strategy is critical for avoiding costly fines, lawsuits, and government violations.

Common Cyberattacks on Healthcare Organizations

Several potential attack types that healthcare facilities face include:

  • Malware and ransomware: Malware is a general term for a malicious program intended to disrupt, damage, or hack an electronic device or network system. Ransomware is a type of malware that blocks system access until the owner pays a ransom fee to the attacker.
  • Data breaches: Healthcare organizations are highly vulnerable to data breaches, from clerical mistakes to malware to a stolen laptop. Violations can lead to the theft of patient social security numbers, test results, payment methods, and more.
  • Internal threats: Employees are sometimes the source of a cyberattack for various reasons. Password protection and encryption methods are vital for minimizing insider threats since some employees may know existing security measures and network operations.
  • Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks: DDoS attacks often try to overload an organization’s network with internet traffic to the point where it malfunctions. Many of these attacks frequently coincide with bots or ransomware.
  • Cloud threats: Although cloud-based storage solutions are growing in popularity, not all comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Some organizations also don’t realize the importance of encrypting data before it moves into the cloud. Using a private cloud service set up by a reliable provider can often minimize these risks.
  • Phishing attacks: Phishing typically tries to trick a user into revealing sensitive information through a disguised link or website. These attacks sometimes come in emails from a hacker posing as a trustworthy contact.

How Agio’s Cybersecurity Services Can Help

While some organizations implement HIPAA-compliant cybersecurity measures, they still don’t provide enough protection against the most harmful types of attacks. The Agio team can conduct a risk assessment on your existing network or system to identify its most vulnerable risks. We’ll develop a custom cybersecurity program that best fits your needs without disrupting production or efficiency.

In addition, we can help you review your security programs and policies after implementation to ensure they meet regulations while staying up to date with changing HIPAA requirements.

Connect with the Experts at Agio Today

If you’re ready to improve your organization’s cybersecurity strategy, let us help you. Our network assessments, managed programs, employee training, and consulting services assist our clients with the challenges of potential cyberattacks and threats. Contact us today to learn more.

 

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