While healthcare providers in the UK have been grappling with security concerns for quite some time, the Covid-19 pandemic has made things significantly worse. Cybercriminals are taking advantage of the chaos and have made it clear that healthcare will remain a prime target for phishing, extortion demands, ransomware attacks, and other nefarious schemes. Healthcare organizations must do all they can to improve security.
In this article, we explore security risks in healthcare as well as the cybersecurity measures organizations can take to increase protection. Read on.
Types of Cyber Attacks Facing Healthcare Providers in the UK
According to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the pandemic has increased attacks by cyber gangs. Threat actors are attempting to steal personal information, intellectual property, and sensitive intelligence from hospitals, medical research organizations, and pharmaceutical companies. Here are the most common types of attacks facing healthcare providers in the UK.
Phishing
When it comes to threats in phishing emails, credential related messages are a major threat. These emails are designed to look like internal communications and will typically contain a Google Docs page with an embedded link. This link will land a malicious executable file which could be a bot, trojan, or any other threat.
Ransomware
Many healthcare organizations in the UK have raised alarm over the proliferation of ransomware during Covid-19. Key players in the healthcare sector are concerned about the sophistication of ransomware threats and the impact on patient care. Hackers are increasingly delivering ransomware through phishing emails.
Data Breaches
Incidents of data breaches targeting healthcare providers are becoming increasingly common. There are many ways hackers can use to steal valuable data from healthcare organizations. Common risks include social engineering attacks such as phishing and spear phishing, stolen passwords, and unsecured Wi-Fi networks.
Ways to Increase Protection
Currently, the healthcare sector in the UK is dealing with a wave of imminent cyberattacks due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Here are some of the steps IT departments in healthcare organizations can take to increase protection.
Email Security
Social engineering attacks such as phishing, which target human psychology, are common. Cybercriminals can use complex — and often convincing — phishing tactics to convince their victims to expose sensitive data or download malware. Email security tools can help you identify and block phishing emails.
Employee Training
In most cases, successful ransomware attacks on healthcare organizations stem from human error such as opening a phishing email. Employee training is important when it comes to defending against such attacks. Teach employees how to identify emails that could contain threats such as malware.
Install an Antivirus
Antivirus is the most basic cybersecurity tool available. Antivirus software is designed to detect and remove malicious programs from your computer. The program scans your device for malware and removes it. Keep in mind that some antivirus programs are more aggressive and offer better protection.
Backup and Encryption
Encryption can help prevent data breaches and data exfiltration from the cloud and portable storage devices. Encryption provides a pervasive layer of security across your storage devices. The best encryption software will protect your data from malware and unauthorized access.
Use a VPN
A VPN is one of the most effective internet security tools. Short for Virtual Private Networks, VPNs provide protection against malware, DDoS attacks, prying, and other online threats by encrypting your traffic. Healthcare organizations should encourage their employees to use VPN when working from home.
Cybersecurity has always been a challenge in healthcare. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has created the perfect opportunity for cybercriminals to infiltrate healthcare systems, steal data, and extort money from hospitals and medical research organizations. Common sense cybersecurity measures coupled with cybersecurity tools such as VPN, antivirus, and encryption software can go a long way towards preventing an attack.
