The following is a guest post Jonathan Tomek, vice president of research and development at Digital Element
In the space of a few weeks, the U.S. healthcare system faced one of the biggest threats we've ever seen, not something like COVID, but a massive cyberattack. Change Healthcare fell victim to a ransomware attack, one of multiple that hit the U.S. healthcare system within days.
Change Healthcare processes 15 billion healthcare transactions annually Affects one-third of patient recordsThe transactions include services that directly affect patient care, such as eligibility checks and pharmacy operations, as well as billing and payment. All have been disrupted to varying degrees, and the scope of the attack is not yet known.
At a time when data breaches and cyber threats loom across every industry, healthcare is at a critical crossroads. As custodians of some of the most sensitive personal information, healthcare organizations must quickly adopt a technology company mentality and prioritize strong cybersecurity measures.
Traditionally conservative and slow to adapt, healthcare must abandon its aversion to change and embrace innovation. Technology companies operate in a dynamic environment where agility and adaptability are paramount. They continually iterate, improve, and innovate their products and services to stay ahead of new threats and evolving customer needs. Healthcare can learn valuable lessons from this approach by fostering a culture of innovation and embracing technology as a catalyst for change.
One of the most pressing challenges for healthcare organizations is shoring up their cybersecurity defenses. Digitization of patient records and the widespread adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) have enabled unprecedented efficiencies but also exposed vulnerabilities. From ransomware attacks targeting hospitals to data breaches compromising millions of patients' sensitive information, the healthcare sector is constantly under attack from cyber attackers. The consequences extend beyond financial loss to compromised patient care, diminished trust, and regulatory sanctions.
Today, healthcare organizations need a comprehensive threat intelligence network that includes the collection, analysis, and dissemination of data about cybersecurity threats, including the tactics, techniques, and procedures that enable organizations to more effectively anticipate, detect, and respond to cyber threats.
Investing in cybersecurity is not just a compliance checkbox — it's a strategic imperative to protect patient privacy and maintain the integrity of the healthcare system. Technology companies implicitly understand this, and they are allocating significant resources to cybersecurity research, threat intelligence, and proactive defense measures.
For years, technology companies have taken strong measures to remove personally identifiable information from the data they collect from consumers' digital journeys. Unfortunately, healthcare organizations cannot afford to simply remove personal identifiers from their records. Patient identification is essential in healthcare.
The interconnectedness of today's healthcare ecosystem drives the need for robust cybersecurity measures. The proliferation of interconnected medical devices, wearables and IoT-enabled healthcare applications has exponentially expanded the attack surface. Each endpoint is a potential entry point for malicious actors, requiring a comprehensive cybersecurity approach that encompasses not only traditional IT systems but also medical devices and infrastructure.
The convergence of healthcare and technology is blurring the lines between traditional healthcare providers and technology companies. From telehealth platforms that have revolutionized access to care to wearable devices that allow individuals to monitor their health in real time, technology companies are becoming major players in the healthcare industry. As this convergence accelerates, so too must healthcare organizations' cybersecurity posture be strengthened to mitigate the risks associated with third-party integrations and data sharing.
Building a resilient cybersecurity framework requires a multifaceted approach that encompasses people, processes, and technology. Training medical staff to recognize and respond to phishing attacks, implementing robust access control and encryption protocols, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments are just a few examples of essential cybersecurity practices. Additionally, encouraging collaboration and information sharing within the medical community can strengthen collective defense against common threats.
Fortunately, healthcare organizations don't have to start from scratch and build their own custom threat intelligence solutions. For example, advanced technologies such as geolocation data are already on the market that can help healthcare organizations better monitor and manage access to their systems and databases. By pinpointing the precise geographic origins of network traffic, healthcare providers can more effectively detect and mitigate suspicious activity, strengthening their defenses against cyberattacks.
Accurate location data can also help companies implement stronger access control and authentication mechanisms. Through geographic location verification, users attempting to access the system can be monitored and stricter security measures such as multi-factor authentication and restricting access based on geographic region can be implemented. This approach not only enhances the overall security measures of a healthcare system, but also helps in compliance with regulatory requirements such as HIPAA, protecting patient privacy and confidentiality.
Healthcare organizations must prioritize cybersecurity in their strategic planning and resource allocation. Just as technology companies allocate large budgets to research and development, healthcare organizations must allocate more funding to cybersecurity efforts. This includes investing in cutting-edge technologies such as blockchain for securing medical records, biometric authentication for identity verification, and predictive analytics for threat intelligence.
But investing in cybersecurity is not just a financial consideration; it is also a cultural change. The good news is that the technology is readily available; healthcare organizations do not need to develop it, they just need to invest in it. Industry leaders must drive a culture of cybersecurity awareness and accountability, instilling a sense of responsibility at every level of the organization.
Now more than ever, healthcare needs to follow technology companies' lead and prioritize cybersecurity. By adopting a tech mindset, investing in advanced technologies, and fostering a culture of cybersecurity, healthcare organizations can reduce risk, protect patient data, and ensure continuity of care in an increasingly digital world. For the sake of patients' health, the integrity of the healthcare system, and the future of healthcare delivery, the time to act is now.