The vastness of the internet is often compared to the ocean, with the majority of people only interacting with the surface web, which comprises a small percentage of the total online content. Beneath the surface lies the deep web, which includes non-indexed content that is not accessible through search engines. The deep web accounts for about 95% of the internet and consists of mostly benign sites that require authentication. Within the deep web lies the dark web, a small and secretive section that is inaccessible through traditional browsers and is often used for illegal activities such as selling stolen data, drugs, and firearms.
Health organizations have become prime targets for cyberattacks, with recent incidents in the UK leading to the leakage of private medical data from several NHS London hospitals. A cyberattack on Synnovis, a pathology company that analyzes blood tests for the NHS, resulted in the exposure of 400GB of private medical data on the dark net. This attack, reportedly carried out by the Russian group Qilin, has caused disruptions in healthcare services, including cancelled appointments and postponed surgeries. The rise in cyberattacks in the healthcare industry has been significant, with a recent Check Point report showing an 11% increase in attacks in 2023 compared to the previous year.
Cybercriminals target healthcare organizations because of the valuable data they hold, including medical, personal, and financial information. Patient data can be used for general identity theft and medical identity theft, where expensive services are fraudulently billed. Ransomware attacks are also common, with hackers encrypting medical data and holding it hostage until a ransom is paid. The healthcare industry’s reliance on outdated legacy systems, limited financial resources for cybersecurity, and critical need for ongoing operation make them vulnerable targets for cyberattacks.
Addressing the vulnerabilities in healthcare cybersecurity is crucial, with regulatory enforcement and financial incentives needed to encourage the implementation of innovative solutions. Healthcare organizations are often slow to adopt new technologies, but in the case of cybersecurity, there is no room for delay. The constant threat of cyberattacks means that proactive measures must be taken to protect sensitive patient data and ensure the uninterrupted operation of essential healthcare services.
