COVID-19 cyber threats are on the rise and practices need to have a proactive stance against cybercrimes that are evolving to take advantage of online trends. Healthcare organizations are already stressed due to the pandemic and their focus might not be completely on cyber protection and security. Since these attacks are not stopping we want to urge practices to keep themselves safe from threats that can have serious consequences. The Oct. 28 alert outlines the techniques used by cybercriminals to attack hospitals and public health systems for financial gain.
3 Types of Cyber Attacks Hospitals and Healthcare Organizations Should know
- Malware Attacks – Spam emails are sent to users to trap them into clicking links that automatically download malware or spyware to their laptops and mobile devices.
- Ransomware Attacks – Ransomware attacks are one of the most popular methods used by cybercriminals in hospitals and medical centers. The ransomware can enter computer systems via emails that have infected links attached which can make systems defenseless.
- Malicious Domains – Registered domains with terms like COVID-19, coronavirus are okay, but cybercriminals have to create sites that are bogus to spread phishing or malware.
Healthcare organizations need to be on a constant lookout for anything suspicious and keep their IT teams involved at all times to avoid the threats mentioned above and keep systems protected round the clock.
Cyber Safety Checklist to Follow
Now is the perfect time to focus on protecting your devices and workplace systems against cyber threats.
Keep Your Data Protected
It is crucial that you backup all files and store them on the cloud or an external drive, so if your systems get vulnerable your files won’t be exposed and will stay safe. Before entering any login details you should confirm that you are on a company’s authentic website.
Check Software Systems Regularly
The IT team comes here handy and they should assist staff members on this. Updated anti-virus software should be installed on your computer and mobile devices for best data protection practices at work and when you are working remotely. Any third-party or outdated components need to be disabled that could act as entry points compromising systems. Mobile applications and software systems should only be downloaded from reliable platforms. Health scans should be performed regularly on laptops and smartphones to rule out any possibilities of cyber threats.
Communicate with your workforce
Healthcare organizations need to inculcate and train their team members on how to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity they spot on their systems. Passwords need to be strong and updated often. Convey to your members to never open any links or attachments from unknown email senders.
All these practices will ensure that your systems are fully locked and protected providing a minimum opportunity for cybercrimes. Hospitals should keep patient data protected and always use a HIPAA Compliant Electronic Medical Records (EMR) Software solution for ultimate data privacy and security. Medical practices should invest in cybersecurity and take the right precautions against data theft and disruption of healthcare services to keep running safely and smoothly.
