Health Care the Top Target by Cyber Attackers

Technology has made it easy for patients to order prescription refills, look at their test results online and schedule appointments with doctors. It’s also made it easier for hackers to cripple hospitals and health-care systems with cyber attacks.

And these attacks are on the rise, according to an FBI report released this spring that said the health-care and public health sector was the most targeted in the country by ransomware attackers in 2023.

The attackers know they are infiltrating a critical area, that it’s a relatively easy target and that the victims will concede to get their systems back up.

“These cyber attacks on our hospital infrastructures here and abroad only highlight the very urgent need for improved cybersecurity in health care overall,” Steven McKeon, cybersecurity expert and founder of security firm MacguyverTech, said in a statement.

These are sophisticated attacks on outdated systems, threatening the data of millions of patients as well as their health if key systems are shut down. The attacks also consume the time of first responders and public safety officials.

“With 1 in 3 Americans impacted by data breaches, modernizing these systems and enhancing cybersecurity measures are essential in protecting patient data and ensuring safety and continuity of care,” McKeon said.

The health-care system needs help in the form of increased federal funding and enforcement of cybersecurity practices and enhancements, McKeon said. “Collaborative efforts between governments and the health-care industries are vital to tackling these threats and securing these systems for the long haul.”