Healthcare Cybersecurity: Keep Your Data Safe from Increasing Cyber Attacks

The state of cybersecurity in Healthcare organizations in Nepal is a concern topic and require continuous improvement and adaptation to the ever-evolving cybersecurity threats. In term of cybersecurity, healthcare organizations in Nepal as well as in many developing countries are facing challenges to protect their system, networks and application data.

Due to limited resources and budget, many healthcare organizations in Nepal may lack the necessary cybersecurity infrastructure and personnel to protect their systems and data.  Not only that, lack of awareness and understanding of cybersecurity issues among healthcare professionals can lead to the risk of cyber attacks resulting loss of sensitive data.

Healthcare organizations are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals due to the sensitive nature of the data they hold and the potential financial gain from stealing this data.

One of the main challenges facing healthcare organizations is the increasing use of electronic health records (EHRs) and other digital systems, which can create new vulnerabilities. Additionally, many healthcare organizations have outdated security systems.

Here are some of the possible reason why cyber attacks are increasing in healthcare organizations:

Healthcare organizations often have a large amount of sensitive patient data, making them a valuable target for cybercriminals.

Many healthcare organizations still use outdated technology and software, making them vulnerable to attacks.

The increased use of electronic medical records and connected medical devices has created new entry points for cybercriminals to exploit.

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift to telemedicine, which has introduced new security challenges.

The healthcare industry has also been targeted by nation-state actors looking to steal valuable medical research and intellectual property.

The lack of cybersecurity expertise among healthcare workers and a lack of emphasis on cybersecurity in healthcare education and training can also contribute to the problem.

It's important for healthcare organizations to implement robust cybersecurity measures and train employees to recognize and respond to various types of cyber attacks. This can include implementing strict security protocols, regularly updating software, providing cybersecurity education for employees, and monitoring for suspicious activity. Healthcare organizations  may encounter cyber attacks in various way. Here are some of the ways how cyber attacks can happen in Healthcare Organization:

Phishing: Cybercriminals may use phishing emails or text messages to trick employees into providing sensitive information, such as login credentials or personal data.

Ransomware: Cybercriminals may use malware to encrypt an organization's data and demand a ransom payment in exchange for the decryption key.

Malware: Cybercriminals may use malware to infiltrate an organization's network and steal sensitive information or disrupt operations.

IoT: Cybercriminals may target Internet of Things (IoT) devices, such as medical equipment, to gain access to an organization's network.

Insider threats: Employees or contractors may intentionally or unintentionally compromise an organization's cybersecurity by mishandling sensitive information or introducing malware to the network.

Advanced persistent threats: State-sponsored hackers may use advanced techniques to gain access to an organization's network and steal sensitive information over an extended period of time.

Social engineering: Cybercriminals may use social engineering tactics to trick employees into providing sensitive information or access to restricted areas of an organization's network.

Till now we have understand the state of cybersecurity in Healthcare organization, reason for cyberattacks in such organization and different methods of cyberattacks that healthcare organization may encounter, lets us now focus on the way to get protected from such cyberthreats.

It's important for healthcare organizations to be proactive about cybersecurity and to stay informed about the latest threats and best practices for protecting against them. There are several steps that healthcare organizations can take to protect against cyber attacks, including:

Implementing robust security protocols: This can include using firewalls, antivirus software, Endpoint protection, Intrusion Detection and Prevention systems, and other security tools to protect against cyber threats.

Regularly updating software: Keeping software up-to-date is important to ensure that security vulnerabilities are patched and that the organization is protected against the latest threats.

Providing cybersecurity education for employees: Employees should be trained to recognize and respond to phishing emails, suspicious phone calls, and other social engineering tactics.

Monitoring for suspicious activity: Organizations should have a plan in place to detect and respond to suspicious activity on the network, such as unusual logins or data transfers.

Conducting regular risk assessments: Organizations should regularly assess their security posture and identify vulnerabilities in their systems and processes.

Backing up data: Regularly backing up important data and keeping it separate from the main network can help organizations recover from a cyber attack.

Implementing two-factor authentication: Two-factor authentication can provide an additional layer of security for employee logins, making it more difficult for cybercriminals to gain access to sensitive data.

Segmenting networks: Segmenting networks can help to limit the spread of malware and minimize the impact of an attack.

Regularly testing incident response plans: Having an incident response plan in place and testing it regularly can help organizations quickly and effectively respond to a cyber attack.

Working with security experts : Healthcare organizations can also work with security experts to provide additional protection and respond to cyber threats.

Finally, Cybersecurity is crucial in healthcare organizations as they hold sensitive information such as patient's personal and health records, financial information, and research data. A cyber attack on a healthcare organization can lead to the loss or theft of this sensitive information, which can have serious consequences for patients and the organization. Furthermore, healthcare organizations are also required to comply with various regulations which mandates security and privacy of patient's data. Therefore, healthcare organizations must invest in cybersecurity measures to protect their networks, systems, and data from cyber threats and to comply with regulations.