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With the rise in cyberattacks and ransomware incidents, healthcare organizations face an increasing risk of data breaches that threaten patient privacy and HIPAA compliance.
The recent $500,000 settlement between the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office for Civil Rights (OCR), and Plastic Surgery Associates of South Dakota highlights the critical importance of robust cybersecurity defenses in healthcare.
The OCR’s investigation into the plastic surgery facility’s 2017 ransomware attack exposed significant vulnerabilities in the organization’s systems, including insufficient risk analysis, lack of security measures, and failure to review system activity regularly.
In its breach report to the agency, Plastic Surgery Associates of South Dakota reported it discovered that nine workstations and two servers were infected with ransomware, affecting the protected health information of 10,229 individuals. The credentials the hacker(s) used to access the network were obtained through a brute-force attack (hacking method that uses trial and error to guess passwords, login information, encryption keys) to their remote desktop protocol. After discovering the breach, Plastic Surgery Associates of South Dakota was unable to restore the affected servers from backup.
Trustwave, a leader in cybersecurity solutions, is uniquely positioned to help healthcare organizations with data breach prevention and maintain compliance with HIPAA standards. Trustwave’s elite SpiderLabs team constantly tracks the dangers facing the healthcare sector and offers mitigation recommendations. These were covered in the team’s recent report Cybersecurity in the Healthcare Industry: Actionable Intelligence for an Active Threat Landscape.
Ransomware has become a formidable threat to the healthcare industry. Since 2018, large breaches involving ransomware attacks reported to the OCR have surged by 264%, HHS reported in the previously linked report, underscoring the need for healthcare organizations of all types and sizes to implement advanced cybersecurity best practices. Ransomware, a form of malware, encrypts an organization's data, blocking access until a ransom is paid. Hackers often exploit vulnerabilities such as weak credentials, inadequate risk assessments, and unpatched systems.
The HIPAA Security Rule requires healthcare organizations to implement administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect electronic personal health information (PHI). It also mandates regular risk assessments and the establishment of policies to address potential security incidents that if not undertaken can result in hefty fines.
The recent OCR settlement with Plastic Surgery Associates of South Dakota underscores that a failure to meet these requirements can result in significant financial and operational consequences.
For healthcare organizations striving to meet the stringent standards of HIPAA, proactive cybersecurity measures are essential to protecting PHI from unauthorized access and maintaining compliance.
Trustwave offers an extensive suite of cybersecurity solutions tailored to the healthcare industry’s specific needs, helping organizations strengthen their data defenses, mitigate risk, and stay HIPAA-compliant. Here’s how Trustwave can help:
Trustwave’s cybersecurity solutions empower healthcare organizations to build a more resilient security framework, ensuring they can protect sensitive patient data while maintaining regulatory compliance. By leveraging Trustwave’s expertise, healthcare providers can proactively safeguard against ransomware, hacking attempts, and other threats that jeopardize patient privacy and trust.
Healthcare organizations face an increasingly complex cybersecurity landscape, with ransomware and hacking attacks posing significant risks to patient privacy and HIPAA compliance. The recent settlement with Plastic Surgery Associates of South Dakota shows that failing to meet the HIPAA Security Rule requirements can lead to substantial financial penalties and reputational damage.
Trustwave’s tailored cybersecurity solutions help healthcare organizations fortify their defenses, reduce vulnerabilities, and maintain HIPAA compliance. With Trustwave, healthcare providers can stay ahead of evolving cyber threats and ensure the security and confidentiality of their patients' data.
Trustwave is a globally recognized cybersecurity leader that reduces cyber risk and fortifies organizations against disruptive and damaging cyber threats. Our comprehensive offensive and defensive cybersecurity portfolio detects what others cannot, responds with greater speed and effectiveness, optimizes client investment, and improves security resilience. Learn more about us.
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