MediSecure cyber breach underscores need for robust healthcare cybersecurity

The recent cyber incident involving MediSecure, where data has allegedly been stolen and posted on a Russian hacking forum, has ignited concerns about cybersecurity in Australia’s healthcare sector. The breach is part of a series of high-profile cyberattacks targeting Australian organisations, such as Optus, Medibank, and Latitude Financial.

According to Sumit Bansal, Vice President Asia Pacific and Japan at BlueVoyant, the MediSecure breach highlights the vulnerabilities in supply chain security. “The incident serves as a stern reminder for Australian organisations to scrutinise their vendors and other third parties closely. Supply chain attacks often infiltrate organisations through the weakest link,” Bansal stated. He further emphasised the importance of understanding one’s digital supply chain and implementing a ‘defence in depth’ strategy, which involves multiple layers of security measures to protect sensitive data.

The healthcare sector is particularly vulnerable due to its extensive networks and the high value of healthcare data on the dark web. Javaad Malik, a Security Awareness Advocate at KnowBe4, pointed out, “Incidents like the MediSecure breach remind us of the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures within the healthcare sector.” Malik added that it is paramount for organisations to adopt a proactive stance toward cybersecurity, stressing that the matter transcends IT and touches on patient safety and trust in digital health services.

The fallout from the MediSecure breach is alarming. Reports have surfaced that a member of a Russian hacking forum is selling 6.5 terabytes of data purportedly stolen from MediSecure for USD $50,000. The compromised data potentially includes insurance numbers, phone numbers, addresses, full names, and login credentials of MediSecure customers.

Mark Jones, a Senior Partner at Tesserent, a Thales Australia cybersecurity company, advises healthcare organisations to be extra vigilant during this period of heightened threat. Jones recommends that healthcare institutions evaluate and bolster their cybersecurity incident resilience plans and regularly update response strategies to safeguard critical information assets. “Understanding where key assets are located and assessing the effectiveness of protective measures are vital steps in ensuring readiness to respond swiftly to any breaches,” he noted.

Tesserent has underscored the necessity for healthcare organisations to manage third-party information risks meticulously. “It’s about protecting sensitive information, maintaining supply chain integrity, and ensuring compliance with regulations,” Jones said. He added that managing third-party security risks is resource-intensive but essential, as robust internal controls can be rendered useless if third-party vulnerabilities are exploited.

The importance of integrated cybersecurity solutions is echoed by cybersecurity experts in the context of rising scam losses in Australia. National reports reveal that Australian citizens lost AUD $2.74 billion to various scams in 2023, spotlighting the urgent need for comprehensive fraud prevention strategies.

Richard Metcalfe, Vice President APJ at Transmit Security, highlighted the increasing targeting of ‘identity fabrics,’ such as Customer Identity and Access Management (CIAM) systems, due to vulnerabilities within these frameworks. “The convergence of identity management and fraud prevention into a single, orchestrated platform is no longer optional—it is a necessity,” Metcalfe asserted. He called for an evolution in CIAM systems to include advanced threat detection and response capabilities, transforming them from gatekeepers to active defenders against cyber threats.

As the investigation into the MediSecure breach continues, industry experts agree on the need for healthcare providers to reassess their security measures and foster a strong security culture. This breach serves as a sobering reminder that ensuring robust cybersecurity is not merely a regulatory or ethical obligation but a fundamental aspect of patient protection and trust in digital health infrastructure.