Why do hackers target hospitals?

The healthcare sector is the most targeted industry by hackers. With vulnerable equipment and highly valuable Electronic Personal Health Information (ePHI), IT security is critical for hospitals and healthcare organizations at every level. Insider threats, whether intentional or accidental, pose a significant risk to healthcare organizations.

The healthcare sector is a prime target for cybercriminals for several reasons:

›‹ Valuable Data

Healthcare organizations possess vast amounts of sensitive data, including patient records, financial information, and intellectual property. This data is highly valuable on the black market and can be used for identity theft, insurance fraud, or other malicious purposes.

›‹ Financial Gain

Cybercriminals see potential financial gain in attacking healthcare institutions. Ransomware attacks, for instance, can disrupt operations and demand large sums of money for the restoration of services.

›‹ Lack of Cybersecurity Measures

Some healthcare institutions might not have robust cybersecurity measures in place due to budget constraints, lack of expertise, or inadequate awareness of potential threats.

›‹ Outdated Infrastructure

Many healthcare systems rely on outdated technology and infrastructure, making them more susceptible to cyber attacks. Legacy systems, including medical devices, are an easy entry point for attackers as they might have vulnerabilities that can be exploited.

›‹ Regulatory Compliance

The healthcare sector must adhere to strict regulations like HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) that mandate the protection and confidentiality of patient data. This makes healthcare organizations attractive targets, as non-compliance can lead to severe penalties.

›‹ Critical Infrastructure

The uninterrupted functioning of healthcare services is critical, making these institutions more likely to pay ransoms or take urgent actions to regain access to their systems. This makes them attractive targets for ransomware attacks.

These factors combined make the healthcare sector a lucrative and vulnerable target for cybercriminals, necessitating constant vigilance and investment in cybersecurity measures.

Why Privileged Access Management is crucial in the healthcare industry?

Watch the video to know more

PAM is crucial in the healthcare industry, as it plays a significant role in securing sensitive data, maintaining compliance, and safeguarding critical infrastructure.

The role of PAM

Here are some key reasons why deploying a PAM tool is important in the healthcare sector:

›‹ Protection
of Sensitive Patient Data

Healthcare organizations deal with a vast amount of sensitive patient information, including medical records, personal details, and financial data. PAM helps restrict access to this information, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access and manage patient data.

›‹ Compliance with Regulations

The healthcare industry is subject to various regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States or the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union. PAM solutions help organizations comply with these regulations by enforcing strict access controls, monitoring activities, and providing audit trails.

›‹ Prevention of
Unauthorized Access

PAM tools help prevent unauthorized access to critical systems and applications. By implementing strong authentication mechanisms, session monitoring, and privilege elevation controls, healthcare organizations can reduce the risk of data breaches and insider threats.

›‹ Securing Critical Infrastructure

Healthcare facilities rely on critical infrastructure such as electronic health record (EHR) systems, medical imaging devices, and communication platforms. PAM helps secure these systems by controlling and monitoring privileged access, reducing the likelihood of cyberattacks that could disrupt healthcare services.

›‹ Ensuring
Availability of Services

Healthcare services must be available 24/7 to ensure patient care is not compromised. PAM solutions contribute to the overall cybersecurity posture, helping prevent downtime caused by security incidents or unauthorized access to critical systems.

›‹ Credential Management
and Rotation

PAM solutions often include features for managing and rotating privileged credentials regularly. This reduces the risk associated with compromised credentials and helps maintain a more secure authentication environment.

Deploying a PAM tool in the healthcare industry is essential for protecting patient data, meeting regulatory requirements, preventing unauthorized access, and ensuring the overall security and availability of critical healthcare services.

remote data access

Staff need to access data remotely, opening more opportunities for attack

Teamwork is essential in healthcare, as different departments and specialists join forces to offer optimal care for every patient. Accessing a network from new devices poses risks since not all devices may have sufficient security measures. Furthermore, healthcare staff often lack familiarity with fundamental cybersecurity best practices. To allow them to focus on saving lives, WALLIX offers a secure Remote Access solution.

Secure new digital uses

Protect access to connected healthcare technology including teleconsultation platforms and simplify user access to medical applications in your digital transformation.

secur data

OT Security for Healthcare

It is now essential that cybersecurity leaders extend their company’s security strategy to encompass an assessment of the security status and threats of any operational environment, especially when it comes to the health sector where the risk can be life-threatening.

Learn what WALLIX state-of-the-art ot.security technology can do for you.

Acclaimed by our customers

“The WALLIX PAM solved all of our cyber security pain points and we have complete control and visibility, even when it comes to remote access.”

“The WALLIX PAM helped us to obtain our agreement to host health data. It is a real competitive advantage to be able to trace and audit all actions on the IT infrastructure, particularly when it comes to protecting our clients’ sensitive data. The WALLIX PAM has helped strengthen the security of our services.”

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