The Critical Diagnosis of Healthcare: Emphasizing Cybersecurity Hygiene as the Remedy

The urgency of cybersecurity in the healthcare sector has never been more pronounced. Being the most susceptible industry and primary focus for cybercriminals, healthcare is witnessing an escalating onslaught of cyber assaults. When ransomware takes control of a hospital’s systems, the stakes are beyond just data — patients reliant on life-saving treatments are put in jeopardy. Picture an intrusion that compels emergency care to cease, surgeries to be delayed, or a cancer patient’s confidential health data used for blackmail. This is the harsh reality healthcare confronts as cybercriminals prey on individuals in need of medical attention. Healthcare has accounted for 17.8% of all breach incidents and 18.2% of catastrophic ransomware occurrences since 2012¹, surpassing sectors like finance, government, and education.

This surge in attacks sends a clear message: inadequate cybersecurity hygiene lies at the core, with dire repercussions for turning a blind eye to these vulnerabilities. Organizations disregarding fundamental cybersecurity protocols, such as updating software and ensuring network security, are exposing their systems to malicious entities. More significantly, the risks are not merely theoretical; they materialize in recurrent breaches that bring about tangible harm.

The Vulnerabilities of Healthcare

While numerous sectors endure financial and reputational harm due to cyber assaults, healthcare encounters a much graver peril. Hackers understand that they are not merely aiming at data or systems — the stakes are much higher: human life itself. The healthcare domain poses a uniquely susceptible target for cybercriminals for manifold reasons. Firstly, the industry’s dependence on interconnected systems supporting everything from patient records to life-preserving equipment establishes a wide-ranging attack surface. Additionally, healthcare setups often harbor sensitive personal data, rendering them enticing targets for extortion and data breaches.

For instance, the ransomware attack on CommonSpirit Health in October 2024¹ resulted in hospitals having to postpone medical procedures and divert urgent care, significantly impacting patient safety. Another troubling instance was the breach at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in November 2024, where perpetrators coerced patients by threatening to expose their confidential health details.

Poor cybersecurity hygiene exacerbates the vulnerabilities within healthcare systems.

Establishing the Connection between Hygiene and Breach Incidents

An in-depth examination of 1,454 catastrophic ransomware episodes from 2016 to 2023² furnishes vital insights into the correlation between deficient cybersecurity hygiene and the frequency of attacks. The analysis reveals that entities graded D or F encounter a 35-fold higher frequency of catastrophic ransomware incidents compared to those rated A. This stark disparity underscores the significance of upholding robust cybersecurity measures.

Criminals zero in on systems pinpointed with vulnerabilities in fundamental aspects, like outdated software, insecure network services, and unencrypted online communications. These loopholes furnish simple entryways for attackers, enabling them to infiltrate critical systems and, ultimately, commandeer organizations with ransomware.

Organizations exhibiting solid cybersecurity hygiene — those who routinely patch vulnerabilities, safeguard their networks, and encrypt sensitive communications — stand at lesser risk of breaches. Nonetheless, numerous healthcare establishments fail to uphold these standards, rendering them prime prey for assailants.

Ramifications of Subpar Cybersecurity Hygiene

In an ecosystem where patient welfare hinges on the accessibility of health systems, the repercussions of inadequate cybersecurity can be life-threatening. Destructive ransomware events, which encrypt systems and disable functions, pose substantial hazards. For hospitals, downtime could signify the variance between life and death for patients dependent on crucial medical services.

The data underscores the fallout of neglecting fundamental cybersecurity protocols. As per Mastercard, healthcare entities rated D or F witness 16.6 times more breach incidents than those graded A¹. These entities not only expose themselves to heightened attack frequencies but also confront graver consequences, such as the inability to dispense care during pressing moments.

How to Improve Cybersecurity Hygiene for Healthcare Stability

In healthcare, elevating cybersecurity wellness involves more than just reacting to breaches; it entails proactively tackling vulnerabilities before malicious exploitation. Below are essential approaches that healthcare entities can embrace:

1. Consistent Surveillance

Continuous monitoring of cybersecurity wellness is crucial. Organizations should regularly audit their systems to pinpoint vulnerabilities and promptly apply remedies. This encompasses overseeing third-party risks, given that healthcare setups frequently integrate with external suppliers whose security wellness might fall short of the necessary benchmarks. Any third-party vendor digitally linked to a healthcare system poses a threat that must be evaluated.

2. Round-the-clock Security Operations

Given that ransomware strikes can occur at any time, including weekends and holidays, it is imperative for healthcare organizations to uphold 24×7 security operations². Notably, 46% of ransomware assaults happen from Friday to Sunday², a timeframe when many establishments have reduced cybersecurity personnel. National holidays are also targeted by hackers, making increased staffing, instead of decreased, a wiser choice.

3. Management of Third-party Risks

Given the collaborative nature of healthcare, third-party vendors often present a vulnerability point. Threat actors focus on suppliers, partners, and other third-party entities with weaker cybersecurity defenses. Healthcare entities must scrutinize their suppliers’ security hygiene to ensure compliance with high protective standards and continuous monitoring for potential vulnerabilities.

Vendors linked to third-party providers also require assessment. Streamlining this process can prioritize risks by pinpointing critical issues rather than consolidating all threats together. Effective risk assessment reporting and action plan sharing with vendors is essential for swift risk response.

4. Routine Updating and Data Encryption

Maintaining up-to-date software is a fundamental yet crucial cybersecurity practice. Healthcare institutions must give precedence to patching software vulnerabilities and safeguarding network services like Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), a common target for intruders. Furthermore, ensuring secure, encrypted data transmission channels is essential to thwart unauthorized access.

5. Preparedness and Response Planning

Preparation is paramount. Healthcare organizations need well-crafted incident response schemes that are regularly practiced and updated. This encompasses backup strategies to expedite data and system restoration in case of a ransomware attack. By having these structures in place, downtime is minimized and the adverse impact of cyber strikes is mitigated.

Success Story: Mastercard Cybersecurity’s RiskRecon TPRM Solution for Effectiveness

Mastercard’s RiskRecon TPRM solution plays a pivotal role in improving cybersecurity wellness across sectors, including healthcare. Through continuous monitoring and in-depth assessments of third-party risks, RiskRecon equips healthcare establishments with the necessary knowledge to enhance their security stance and lessen risks.

Assigning cybersecurity hygiene ratings from A to F across various segments, such as software patching, network filtering, and web encryption, RiskRecon assists organizations in identifying vulnerabilities and prioritizing enhancement areas. This proactive strategy significantly diminishes the likelihood of a breach or catastrophic ransomware incident.

Additionally, RiskRecon’s platform enables healthcare entities to compare their security performance with industry counterparts, fostering continual enhancement and liability.

With a profound understanding of the digital framework owing to processing 143 billion transactions annually, Mastercard offers exceptional precision in assessing and fortifying digital landscapes.

The Path Forward: Reinforcing Cybersecurity in healthcare

The escalating cyber threat on the healthcare domain mandates a prompt, coordinated approach. Organizations must not wait for an attack before acting; they should embrace a forward-thinking outlook on cybersecurity wellness.

Though the task may seem overwhelming, data from Mastercard’s investigations affirm that robust cybersecurity hygiene significantly reduces susceptibility to successful breaches. Healthcare entities must invest in appropriate tools, protocols, and collaborations to secure their systems and guarantee uninterrupted delivery of crucial services.

Mastercard’s RiskRecon provides the necessary solutions for healthcare entities to bolster their cybersecurity stance and safeguard their clientele. By leveraging real-time evaluations and comprehensive cybersecurity hygiene ratings, RiskRecon enables healthcare entities and their suppliers to mitigate risks and fend off ransomware attacks.

For deeper insights on safeguarding organizations from ransomware, acquire the complete ransomware report or request a demo to delve deeper into Mastercard Cybersecurity services.

About Author

AndyC

Andy Curtis is an award-winning security consultant, researcher and public speaker. He has been working in the computer security industry since the early 1990s, having been employed by state and federal government, leading healthcare and banking providers across three continents. He has given talks about computer security for some of the world’s largest companies, worked with law enforcement agencies on investigations into hacking groups, and is a regular voice on TV and radio explaining IT security threats.

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