CSA: How Can Healthcare Improve Cybersecurity? Lessons from 2024

Mar 12, 2025

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Source URL: https://cloudsecurityalliance.org/articles/from-ransomware-to-regulation-lessons-from-the-worst-year-of-healthcare-cyber-breaches
Source: CSA
Title: How Can Healthcare Improve Cybersecurity? Lessons from 2024

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Summary: The text discusses the heightened cybersecurity challenges faced by the healthcare sector in 2024, emphasizing the increasing frequency and severity of cyberattacks, particularly ransomware, which poses serious threats to patient safety and healthcare operations. Key insights include the vulnerabilities inherent in the healthcare industry’s reliance on interconnected devices, the impact of financial constraints on security investments, and the importance of automation, user experience, structured frameworks, and specialized education in enhancing security measures.

Detailed Description:
The healthcare sector is experiencing an unprecedented rise in cybersecurity threats, with 2024 marked as particularly detrimental due to a significant number of breaches impacting over 100 million individuals. This situation has prompted urgent discussions regarding the vulnerabilities and necessary actions for improving cybersecurity in healthcare environments.

– **Cybersecurity Incidents**: In 2024, the U.S. reported 386 cybersecurity attacks targeting healthcare providers and third-party vendors. Incidents involving major entities like Change Healthcare and Kaiser Permanente highlight the scale of the problem.

– **Ransomware Threat**: Ransomware attacks are a critical concern, as they can severely disrupt healthcare operations, posing risks to patient care and safety. The United Nations has called the situation a “global threat,” indicating its severity.

– **Specific Vulnerabilities Identified**:
– **Tech Debt Issues**: Rapid mergers and acquisitions have created significant technology debt and security gaps, making it easier for attackers to exploit vulnerabilities.
– **Non-IT Healthcare Workers**: Most healthcare staff are not IT professionals, creating a weak link in cybersecurity; educating these end users is essential for enhancing security posture.
– **Connected Device Risks**: The prevalence of connected devices in healthcare introduces additional vulnerability points, complicating efforts to maintain security.
– **Financial Resource Constraints**: Healthcare organizations allocate a smaller portion of their IT budgets to cybersecurity compared to other sectors, limiting their ability to invest in robust security solutions.

– **Opportunities for Security Improvement**:
– **Automation**: Leveraging automation can enhance efficiency and defense capabilities despite limited resources, particularly through integrating AI into security frameworks.
– **User-Centric Approaches**: Involving healthcare providers in the tool selection process can improve adoption rates and reduce friction.
– **Security Frameworks**: Utilizing established frameworks like the Center for Internet Security Critical Security Controls can help healthcare organizations systematically improve their cybersecurity measures.
– **Targeted Education**: Providing advanced training and certifications for IT staff is crucial to developing a skilled security workforce capable of responding to modern threats.
– **Team Composition**: Emphasizing organizational fit in hiring can help build stronger security teams capable of navigating the unique challenges in healthcare cybersecurity.

– **Legislative Attention**: The increased frequency of healthcare hacks has led to legislative discussions aimed at improving cybersecurity standards in the healthcare industry.

– **Censys’ Role**: Censys provides critical visibility into vulnerable devices and third-party risks, aiding healthcare organizations in protecting patient data and supporting compliance through monitoring and securing telehealth operations.

The ongoing urgency in healthcare security necessitates a proactive, structured, and collaborative approach to safeguard sensitive patient information and critical healthcare systems from the evolving landscape of cyber threats.

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