In today’s digital world, the healthcare sector faces a double-edged sword: rapid technological advancement and rising cyber vulnerability.
Hospitals, clinics, and labs are not only responsible for providing critical care but also for protecting sensitive patient data. Because healthcare providers have become prime targets of cyberattacks. But the danger doesn’t stop at just hospitals and clinics; it stretches deep into the healthcare supply chain—from device manufacturers to software vendors—where a single weak link can compromise entire systems.
Whether it’s exploiting medical devices or launching ransomware campaigns, the healthcare sector has become one of the most targeted industries globally. In this blog, we’ll be highlighting the top 4 cyber threats to the healthcare sector.
Cyber Threats That Target The Healthcare Sector
1. Ransomware Attack
Ransomware continues to be one of the most devastating cyber threats to many sectors, and healthcare isn’t left out. In these attacks, the attacker encrypts hospital systems or patient data and demands payment (usually in cryptocurrency) for their release. Given the life-and-death nature of healthcare operations, many organisations feel forced to pay.
The 2022 CommonSpirit Health ransomware attack is a good example. The attack affected over 150 health facilities, rendering electronic health records inaccessible. Aside from the detrimental effects on patients’ care, the breach brought about a whopping $160 million financial loss.
2. Phishing & Social Engineering
Despite all the advanced attack surfaces and vectors available, human error remains the easiest way in. Phishing and social engineering attacks manipulate employees into clicking malicious links from an email, sharing credentials, or downloading harmful files.
Most times, the mails sent aren’t random spams. They are intentionally personalized and sophisticated, often mimicking internal communication or vendor email, or even going as far as looking like a mail trail of long conversations being held, to deceive a vigilant staff.
Once the link is clicked or an attachment is downloaded, attackers can escalate their privileges, disable security protocols, steal data, or even plant ransomware.
3. IoMT Vulnerability
The rise of the Internet of Medical Things has transformed patient care. These devices allow for remote monitoring, precision treatment, and improved diagnostics. These are network-connected medical devices like insulin pumps, pacemakers, and MRI machines.
But every connected device is also a potential attack vector.
According to a 2023 report by Cynerio, over 53% of connected medical devices have known vulnerabilities. This is due to the fact that most of them run on outdated operating systems. Attackers can exploit these weaknesses to alter device behaviour or tamper with data.
Imagine a cybercriminal remotely manipulating a pacemaker or corrupting diagnostic readings. At that point, it’s not just data at risk anymore, but lives.
4. Supply Chain Compromise
Healthcare providers rely on third-party vendors for everything, from diagnostic equipment to electronic health record systems, or even telemedicine. However, these third-party applications have the potential of creating backdoors for attackers.
The SolarWinds attack is also a good example. Hackers injected malware into widely used IT management software, affecting thousands of organizations globally.
In healthcare, this kind of supply chain attack could result in altered medical data, tampered prescriptions, or hijacked device functionality, without breaching the healthcare facility directly.
Closing Note
Have you seen that movie where the president had a heart attack because a hacker knew his pacemaker’s serial number? The healthcare sector is now a cyber battleground. The threats are real, rising, and relentless.
At TechInnovate Cyber, we specialize in sector-specific solutions for healthcare providers and their supply chains. From securing IoMT devices to running phishing simulations and vendor risk assessments, we help you protect what matters most: your patients.
