Healthcare – A Hotspot for Cyberattacks
The healthcare sector has become a primary target for cybercriminal organizations, mainly due to the vast amounts of sensitive data stored within its systems, ranging from patient records and financial information to connected IoT devices. These factors create vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit.
According to a report by IBM Security X-Force, healthcare accounted for 42% of ransomware attacks in 2023, with an email-based attack targeting healthcare systems every 39 seconds on average. In Vietnam, 30% of major hospitals fell victim to email-based cyberattacks in 2023 (VNCERT).
Common Email Attack Methods in the Healthcare Sector
Phishing
Cybercriminals impersonate healthcare organizations or hospital staff through emails to steal sensitive information, including account credentials, passwords, or financial data. According to the Verizon Data Breach Report 2022, a single phishing attack exposed over 4 million patient records in the United States.
Learn more: What is Phishing Email and How to Prevent Email Scams.
Ransomware
Hackers use emails containing malicious attachments or fake links to trick victims into clicking, thereby activating data encryption. Victims are then forced to pay a ransom to regain access. According to Sophos, the average cost to remediate a ransomware attack in the healthcare sector can reach up to $10 million.
Social Engineering
Hackers impersonate organizational leaders or colleagues through email, deceiving employees into granting access or providing critical information. In Germany in 2020, such an attack caused Duesseldorf Hospital to halt emergency surgeries, severely impacting patient care.
Severe Consequences of Email Attacks on the Healthcare Sector
Cyberattacks in the healthcare sector have far-reaching consequences, including data breaches, operational disruptions, and significant financial losses. Patient records, valued between $10 and $100 each on the dark web (Trustwave), are prime targets, raising serious concerns about privacy violations and information security.
Email Attacks on the Healthcare Sector
Additionally, ransomware forces many hospitals to cease operations for extended periods, delaying emergency care and directly endangering patient lives, with devastating repercussions (Ponemon Institute). The same report highlights that the average cost to recover from a single cybersecurity incident in healthcare can reach $9.23 million, placing immense financial pressure on medical institutions and damaging not only operational efficiency but also the long-term reputation of healthcare systems.
Email Security Solutions in the Healthcare Sector
Protecting email systems from cyber threats is critical in the healthcare sector to ensure the safety and security of patient information. Three essential priorities include:
Anti-Phishing Solutions
Phishing is a major threat to healthcare organizations, where attackers impersonate legitimate entities to steal sensitive information. Implementing email authentication protocols such as DMARC, SPF, and DKIM is vital. These measures block fraudulent emails, protect organizations from attacks, and reduce unauthorized access risks from the outset.
Employee Training and Awareness
Regardless of the strength of technology, employees remain a pivotal factor in email security. Regular training sessions and awareness programs on identifying phishing emails and recognizing attack vectors empower employees to avoid scams. Investing in long-term training enhances vigilance and fosters timely responses to threats.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
MFA adds an additional layer of security, preventing unauthorized access to email accounts. Even if passwords are compromised, MFA ensures hackers cannot access accounts without secondary authentication factors. This is an effective method to safeguard patient data and critical healthcare information.
Advanced Email Security Solutions (EG-Platform by VNETWORK)
EG-Platform offers a comprehensive email security solution tailored specifically for healthcare organizations to counter threats like ransomware, phishing, and social engineering. It blocks ransomware by filtering and stopping malicious attachments, preventing malware from entering systems. Its advanced technology detects impersonation in headers, senders, and malicious URLs, stopping data theft at its source.
About EG-Platform
With DMARC, SPF, and DKIM standards, EG-Platform ensures email authentication and shields systems from external attacks. Real-time detection of malicious emails guarantees threats are neutralized before reaching recipients. Additionally, the platform’s robust monitoring system identifies risks early and enables prompt action.
The standout feature of EG-Platform lies in its holistic protection and integration of advanced Multi-AI technology, enabling highly accurate detection and response to email threats. This solution not only secures email systems but also maintains the reputation and operational stability of healthcare organizations in a high-risk cyber environment.
Learn more: Preventing Email Data Breaches and Ensuring Security with ITU-T X.1236 Standards.
Conclusion
The healthcare sector is facing escalating cyber threats, particularly from phishing, ransomware, and social engineering attacks. These threats compromise sensitive information and disrupt operations, damaging the reputation of healthcare organizations. Implementing EG-Platform by VNETWORK provides robust protection by blocking phishing, detecting malicious emails, and offering comprehensive email monitoring.
Additionally, training employees and adopting multi-factor authentication (MFA) significantly enhance security and mitigate risks. These solutions collectively empower the healthcare sector to safeguard patient data, maintain operational stability, and uphold trust in an increasingly dangerous cyber environment.
