When targeting hospitals, hackers look for several clear points of vulnerability.
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare breaches and cyberattacks peaked. They continue to be a problem in the healthcare industry, as many hospitals still lack the necessary cybersecurity to protect the valuable information they possess.
So what are the weak points that hackers look for in a hospital or healthcare entity? Some include:
- Remote workforces
- Single-location data storage
- Internet-connected medical devices without proper security
- Cell phones and personal devices used to connect to the hospital network
- Networks without secure access controls, such as two-factor authentication
- Improper disposal of records
All of the above make for easy targets for hackers.
Hackers continue to use phishing and ransomware attempts to get into hospital systems.
So how do you make sure your healthcare entity isn’t compromised by a hacker?
Boost your cybersecurity by performing a risk assessment, identifying areas of concern and increasing your protections in those areas. Look closely at the common target areas above to ensure you are protected.
Make sure your policies and procedures are up to date and that your staff is aware of all protocols, especially those related to using personal devices to access your network and those related to working remotely.
Train your employees so that they are aware of phishing and ransomware scams. We recommend sending fake phishing emails out routinely and requiring follow-up training.
With experience in IT and healthcare, Rickard & Associates helps our clients ensure they are taking the right steps to protect their practice.
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