What IT threats does the healthcare sector face?
Technological advances in the healthcare sector have brought immense benefits, but they have also opened the door to new threats, as shown by a recent report from the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA). Since January 2021, ransomware has become the main IT threat to the healthcare sector in Europe, and this trend is constantly increasing.
This in-depth report is based on the analysis of 215 security incidents that occurred between January 2021 and March 2023. The results are striking: more than half (54%) of these incidents were related to ransomware, a form of cybercriminal attack that has risen significantly since 2022. Hospitals, care centers vital to our societies, are particularly targeted, with countries such as the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Spain on the front line of this growing threat.
Among the notable findings, there has also been an increase in denial-of-service attacks since early 2023, mainly attributed to pro-Russian activists. France, where incident reporting is mandatory, recorded the highest number of incidents (43), although factors such as population size play a role in these statistics.
What are the consequences of cyberattacks on the healthcare sector?
The consequences of these attacks vary. Nearly half (43%) of the incidents affected data, while a quarter disrupted non-medical activities. Medical activities were not spared, with 22% of incidents causing disruptions in this crucial area.
The report highlights a worrying point: the vulnerabilities of medical devices and their potential impact on patient safety and privacy. Connected devices, including wearable medical devices, are a growing source of data, making individuals and healthcare facilities more exposed to targeted attacks.
What motivates attackers in the healthcare sector?
In terms of motivation, attackers are generally driven by financial gain (60% of cases), while 10% of attacks are ideologically motivated. Cybercriminals are responsible for most of these attacks (60%), followed by hacktivists (7%) and malicious employees (2%).
Why integrate HDS data backup into healthcare information systems?
At a time when the European healthcare sector is increasingly vulnerable to cybercriminal attacks, HDS (Health Data Hosting) certified backup is a crucial solution for protecting sensitive medical data. As the report from the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity points out, ransomware has become the main threat, exposing hospitals and healthcare facilities to increased risks of data loss and major disruptions.