Cybersecurity is a Matter of Life and Death

Between January 1 and April 1, 2024, at least 16.6 million individuals were impacted by data breaches across the healthcare industry. Of those, 16.3 million – or 98 percent – were hacking/IT incidents according to the HIPAA Breach Report generated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  The financial implications of these breaches are staggering with some industry estimates the impact to top $1 trillion.    

The healthcare sector has become the most vulnerable and targeted industry for cybercriminals, with the average cost of a breach reaching an unprecedented $10.93 million, more than double the average of the next closest industry. These costs can have far-reaching consequences, affecting both the organization’s bottom line and its ability to deliver quality care to patients. The process of detecting and containing these breaches is also alarmingly slow, with an average of 200 days for detection.

However, the impact of cybersecurity breaches in healthcare extends well beyond financial losses; it profoundly affects patient care and safety. According to a 2023 Ponemon Institute Study of healthcare organizations, 43 percent of respondents reported that data loss or exfiltration events had adversely impacted patient care, while 46 percent of those respondents noted an increase in mortality rates. These statistics starkly highlight the life-and-death stakes of cybersecurity in healthcare and underscore the critical importance of protecting patient information and healthcare systems from cyber threats; quite literally, lives are at stake.

Why are healthcare organizations so vulnerable to these threats? There are a number of reasons. First, the healthcare sector is a prime target for cybercriminals due to the significant value of patient data stored within electronic health records (EHRs) and other digital systems. Cybercriminals often exploit these vulnerabilities for financial gain or malicious purposes.

Second, the interconnected nature of healthcare systems introduces vulnerabilities that extend beyond individual organizations. As healthcare providers share patient data with insurance companies, pharmacies, and other third-party vendors, each additional connection becomes a potential entry point for attacks. A breach in one part of the healthcare ecosystem can have cascading effects, compromising the security and privacy of patients across multiple entities. 

Third, medical devices present challenges as well. The proliferation of Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) devices, such as insulin pumps, pacemakers, and infusion pumps, has revolutionized patient monitoring and treatment. However, many of these devices were not designed with cybersecurity in mind, making them vulnerable to exploitation by malicious actors. A compromised medical device can be manipulated to deliver incorrect doses of medication, alter vital signs, or even shut down entirely, putting patients’ lives at risk. 

Finally, healthcare organizations grapple with legacy technologies and infrastructure, which may lack robust security features and receive limited support and updates from vendors. Outdated systems are more susceptible to exploitation, as they may contain unpatched vulnerabilities or lack modern security controls. Limited budgets and resources further exacerbate the challenge, as healthcare providers must allocate resources judiciously amidst competing priorities such as patient care and medical research.

So, how can healthcare organizations protect themselves from so many areas of vulnerability and mitigate the financial impact of these attacks? The best strategy is to take proactive measures and adopt best practices. One such approach is the implementation of an identity-first zero-trust strategy, which emphasizes strict identity verification for every person and device attempting to access network resources. By embedding identity verification into every pillar of the zero-trust framework, healthcare organizations can ensure secure access to data, applications, networks, and services, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and breaches.

However, adding security measures like zero trust shouldn’t come at the expense of an exceptional user experience. Prioritizing security while delivering a positive user experience – a secure total experience – is crucial in healthcare, where access to information directly impacts patient health and outcomes. Patients and healthcare professionals alike need seamless access to information and services without compromising security protocols. Achieving this balance requires a collaborative approach between IT, security experts, UX designers, and healthcare professionals to create systems that protect sensitive data while delivering a smooth and efficient user experience, ultimately enhancing trust and satisfaction among stakeholders. 

With the increasing reliance on digital platforms for accessing healthcare services and managing EHRs, a well-defined digital front door strategy serves as the primary interface for patients, caregivers, providers, and vendors. This strategy not only enhances convenience and accessibility for all users but ensures their data privacy and security. And it fosters trust and loyalty among patients and providers, ultimately driving better health outcomes and operational efficiency within the healthcare ecosystem.

Lastly, education and training are also key to achieving a secure total experience. Healthcare professionals, from frontline staff to senior executives, should receive regular training on best practices, how to identify potential threats and the correct response protocols. By raising awareness and fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness, healthcare organizations can empower their employees to play an active role in protecting patient data and mitigating cyber risks.

The trillion-dollar data breach crisis in healthcare represents a critical threat to patient safety and privacy. Breaches have far-reaching consequences that extend beyond financial losses, potentially endangering lives, and undermining trust in the healthcare system. Addressing this crisis requires a proactive approach and collaboration from healthcare organizations, industry stakeholders, third-party vendors, and individual practitioners. By investing in robust cybersecurity measures, delivering an exceptional user experience, implementing a digital front door strategy, and prioritizing education and training, the healthcare industry can mitigate cyber risks and safeguard patient health in an increasingly complex environment.

About Arun Shrestha
Arun Shrestha has 20+ years of building and leading enterprise software and services companies and is committed to building a world class identity services organization. Prior to co-founding BeyondID, Arun held executive positions at Oracle, Sun Microsystems, SeeBeyond and most recently Okta, where he was responsible for building a world class services and customer success organization.