Healthcare Cyberattacks Are Skyrocketing—Why Patients Should Care

In recent years, the healthcare industry has become an increasingly attractive target for cyber-criminals. The frequency and severity of cyberattacks on healthcare organizations have escalated dramatically, posing significant risks not only to the institutions themselves but also to the patients they serve.

The surge in cyberattacks targeting the healthcare sector is not just a concern for institutions but poses real risks to patient safety, privacy, and trust.

The Alarming Rise in Healthcare Cyberattacks

The statistics are sobering. In 2023, the Office for Civil Rights received reports of 725 data breaches in the healthcare sector, exposing or impermissibly disclosing over 133 million records. This marked a continuation of the upward trend from 720 breaches in 2022.

By October 2024, 386 healthcare cyberattacks had been reported, indicating that the rate of such incidents remained alarmingly high. Notably, the scope and impact of these breaches have been more profound than in previous years.

Why Patients Should Be Concerned

Cyberattacks on healthcare organizations have direct and potentially severe consequences for patients:

• Compromised Patient Care: Ransomware attacks can disrupt critical healthcare operations, leading to delays in procedures and treatments. For instance, 64% of healthcare organizations affected by ransomware reported poor outcomes due to such delays, and 24% noted a rise in mortality rates.

  
  

• Exposure of Sensitive Information: Cyberattacks often result in unauthorized access to personal health information (PHI), including medical records, Social Security numbers, and insurance details. The exposure of such data can lead to identity theft and financial fraud, causing significant distress and harm to patients.

  
  

• Erosion of Trust: Repeated cyber incidents undermine public confidence in healthcare institutions. When patients fear that their sensitive information is not secure, they may be less forthcoming with healthcare providers, potentially impacting the quality of care they receive.

  
  

Notable Incidents Highlighting Patient Impact

Several high-profile cyberattacks have underscored the tangible risks to patients:

• Change Healthcare Breach (2024): A ransomware attack on Change Healthcare compromised the personal data of approximately 190 million individuals, disrupting services and delaying patient care.

  
  

• Ascension Data Breach (May 2024): Nearly 5.6 million individuals were affected by a ransomware attack on Ascension, a major U.S. hospital operator. The breach exposed medical records, lab tests, and insurance information, leading to significant clinical disruptions.

  
  

Steps Patients Can Take to Protect Themselves

While healthcare organizations are responsible for safeguarding patient data, individuals can also take proactive measures:

• Monitor Financial and Medical Records: Regularly review bank statements, credit reports, and medical records for unauthorized activity or inaccuracies.

  
  

• Utilize Credit Monitoring Services: Enroll in credit monitoring to receive alerts about potential identity theft. In some cases, affected organizations offer these services free of charge following a breach.

  
  

• Be Cautious with Personal Information: Share personal and medical information only with trusted healthcare providers and be vigilant about phishing attempts or unsolicited requests for information.

  
  
  
  

The surge in cyberattacks targeting the healthcare sector is not just a concern for institutions but poses real risks to patient safety, privacy, and trust. As these threats evolve, it is imperative for both healthcare organizations and patients to remain vigilant and proactive in protecting sensitive health information.