The Healthcare industry stores some of the most sensitive and confidential information in the world. Patient records are stored digitally for easier access, and while being able to access patient information at the palm of your hands across devices is helpful and efficient, it poses serious threats to personal information.

2020 was the largest annual increase in cybersecurity-related incidents, with 30% more breaches than the previous year. 2021 was basically no different, and 2022 is on track for the same. Additional statistics include:

  • 89% of healthcare organizations experienced a data breach in the past two years.
  • 82% of healthcare organizations agree that digital security is their top concern.
  • 23% of all healthcare organizations have paid some form of payment to attackers to avoid downtime and gain access back to critical patient data.
  • 60% of healthcare organizations globally have introduced IoT devices into their facilities.
  • 39% of organizations cite the lack of qualified employees as their biggest challenge to implementing the proper cyber defenses.
  • 53% of healthcare firms report that complexity of healthcare systems is the biggest issue holding them back.

As we look into specific threats in the healthcare industry, several concerns top the list. The top cyber threats in the healthcare industry include:

  • Malware and Ransomware: Cybercriminals use a variety of phishing scams, malware, and ransomware to shut down devices and services inside hospitals. Healthcare is an industry that cannot afford even a single minute of downtime, so these types of attacks are incredibly expensive.
  • Data Breaches: Data breaches are costly to every organization; however, breaches cost the healthcare industry approximately $5.6 billion every year. Personal health data is more lucrative for criminals. While a typical stolen record costs $158 on the black market, personal health information costs $355 per record.
  • Mobile Device Management: The healthcare space is increasingly moving to mobile devices, whether it be virtual doctor’s visits or the mobile look-up of patient data. This provides a better experience for patients and customers; however, it poses a larger potential security risk for the healthcare industry.

It’s vital for organizations in the healthcare space to protect themselves from a potential attack and have the proper cybersecurity systems in place.