Healthcare organizations are particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks because of the volume of protected health information (PHI) they handle.
According to a systematic review of the influence of human factors on cyber security within healthcare organizations, human behavior can affect a healthcare organization’s cyber-vulnerability, combined with factors like organizational culture, and inadequate training.
Stress increases vulnerability
"The high susceptibility rate of healthcare professionals and failure to recognize phishing attacks are attributed to the high-stress environments often encountered in hospitals,” the study says.
These high-pressure settings leave little room for scrutinizing every email or message, making healthcare workers easy targets for cybercriminals. Adding to the complexity, attackers often build social engineering tactics by exploiting information shared on social media to create personalized phishing attempts.
Consequently, this creates a dual vulnerability where even minor lapses in judgment can result in major data breaches.
Gaps in organizational priorities
Another recurring theme in the research is systemic failure in prioritizing cybersecurity in healthcare. "Each healthcare organization is unique and often faced with economic pressure to deliver patient care, with IT system security not being prioritized above medical services."
These findings could also suggest a lack of dedicated cybersecurity roles, like chief information and security officer positions, exacerbating the above vulnerabilities. Without these specialized roles, there is often no clear leadership to prioritize effective cybersecurity strategies.
Additionally, the absence of cohesive oversight results in inadequate staff training, security protocols, and risk management strategies.
Inadequate training
“While several organizations and researchers have identified the need for delivering cybersecurity training to healthcare professionals, there is no consensus within the community about the mode of delivery, the curriculum of the training program, and training assessment criteria."
As a result, fragmented training efforts vary across organizations, leaving many healthcare professionals underprepared to recognize and respond to threats. Furthermore, the absence of standardized training could leave many healthcare professionals without the necessary skills to identify a phishing attack and maintain cyber hygiene.
Is there a solution?
Yes. A recent study on cybersecurity in healthcare noted, “encryption and decryption technologies are essential technical safeguards,” as they encode contents, preventing unauthorized access to patient data.
More specifically, HIPAA compliant email solutions, like Paubox, automatically encrypts emails without additional login steps or portals, helping providers overcome security fatigue. These solutions also use advanced threat detection to identify and block phishing emails before they reach the inbox.
Furthermore, healthcare organizations send HIPAA compliant email reminders to employees, encouraging attendance at upcoming training sessions.
Read also: Why people still fall for phishing attacks in 2024
FAQs
Does HIPAA apply to phishing attacks in healthcare?
Yes, phishing attacks in healthcare fall under Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations. Phishing attacks compromise the privacy and security of protected health information (PHI) and lead to severe penalties, including fines and reputational damage.
Who needs to comply with HIPAA?
HIPAA compliance is required for covered entities, such as healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses, as well as their business associates who handle protected health information (PHI).
How can providers make Google Workspace email HIPAA compliant?
Providers must use a Business or Enterprise plan, sign a business associate agreement (BAA) with Google, and use a HIPAA compliant platform to protect patient information.
Learn more: How to set up HIPAA compliant emails on Google
