In past years, healthcare data breaches have been predominantly caused by human error and internal issues, such as unauthorized disclosures, loss, theft, and improper disposal of sensitive information. Nearly 80 percent of health data breaches reported to the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) in 2022 were attributed to hacking and IT incidents.
These types of breaches can occur as a result of staff members not following proper protocols or failing to properly secure patient data. For example, a staff member may leave a laptop containing patient information in a public spot, or may accidentally send an email containing protected health information to the wrong recipient. These types of breaches are preventable and are usually driven by a lack of proper training, protocols, and oversight.
However, in recent years, malicious hacking has also become a prominent cause of healthcare data breaches. Cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated and targeted in their attacks, and healthcare organizations need to be vigilant in protecting their systems and data from these threats.
Patient safety is a critical concern in healthcare, and cybersecurity risks can have an effective influence on patient safety. As a result, healthcare organizations are placing increased emphasis on managing cybersecurity risks and evaluating connected vendors based on their ability to protect patient data and maintain the security of their systems. This includes implementing security protocols, training staff on cybersecurity best practices, and regularly reviewing and updating security measures to stay ahead of evolving threats.
Healthcare organizations are vulnerable to cyber-attacks and data breaches. According to some reports, the healthcare industry is one of the most targeted sectors for cyber attacks, with a high percentage of those attacks being malicious. It is reported that around 80% of healthcare data breaches are caused by malicious or criminal attacks, such as hacking, malware, and ransomware.
These attacks can have serious consequences, leading to the loss of sensitive patient information and the potential disruption of healthcare services. Healthcare organizations need to take appropriate security measures to protect themselves and their patients from these attacks.