Why small healthcare practices are at greater risk for cyberattacks

Small healthcare practices often face unique challenges that make them particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks. Despite having fewer resources than larger organizations, they handle the same sensitive patient data, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals.

Limited resources and budget constraints

Small healthcare practices often operate with limited budgets and IT resources, making it difficult to invest in robust cybersecurity measures. Unlike larger organizations, they may lack dedicated IT staff or the funds to implement advanced security tools.

According to the Hiscox 2024 report, 44% of small organizations that experienced an increase in cyber attack risk over the past year identified employees using personal devices for work as a contributing factor. Personal devices introduce additional risks, as they may lack up-to-date security software and centralized control.

Lack of awareness and training

Many small practices underestimate the risk of cyberattacks, assuming they are too small to be targeted. This lack of awareness often leads to insufficient training and poor security practices among staff.

Learn more: Common misconceptions about email security

Outdated technology and software

Small practices often rely on outdated technology and software which are more vulnerable to cyberattacks because they lack modern security features, such as encryption or multi-factor authentication. Without regular updates and patches, these systems become easy targets for hackers.

Related: Encryption methods in healthcare

High value of patient data

Despite their size, small healthcare practices store the same sensitive patient data as larger organizations, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals. Protected health information (PHI) is highly valuable on the black market, often fetching higher prices than financial data. Healthcare specialists at Urology Times state, "Patient data is so valuable — and smaller providers are more vulnerable — that hackers are increasingly targeting physician groups."

Go deeper: Why healthcare is a major target for cyberattacks

Limited incident response capabilities

Small healthcare organizations often face significant challenges in managing incident response due to limited resources and a lack of established procedures.

The Health Sector Coordinating Council (HSCC) Cybersecurity Working Group highlights that employees in these organizations may not know how to respond effectively during an incident. Additionally, management teams may struggle to identify the right contacts for coordinating information or addressing breaches. With no dedicated cybersecurity professionals, small organizations often rely heavily on their IT departments to handle incident response, which can lead to delays and inefficiencies in mitigating cyber threats.

Read more: What is cyber-preparedness?

Steps small practices can take to reduce risk

While small healthcare practices face significant challenges, there are steps they can take to strengthen their cybersecurity defenses and reduce the risk of cyberattacks.

• Email protection systems:
  • Configure email systems to block phishing attempts.
  • Educate staff on recognizing phishing emails.
  • Conduct regular phishing simulations to improve awareness.
• Endpoint protection systems:
  • Remove administrative accounts from endpoints.
  • Keep systems and software patched and up to date.
  • Install and maintain antivirus software on all devices.
• Access management:
  • Create unique user accounts for each employee.
  • Limit the use of shared or generic accounts.
  • Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for secure access.
• Data protection and loss prevention:
  • Classify data based on sensitivity (e.g., public, internal, sensitive).
  • Encrypt sensitive data, especially when transmitted via email or stored on mobile devices.
  • Train staff on secure data handling practices.
• Incident response:
  • Develop and implement an incident response plan.
  • Identify roles and responsibilities for responding to cyber incidents.
  • Train employees to recognize and report potential breaches.
• Medical device security:
  • Secure connected medical devices by isolating them on segmented networks.
  • Regularly update device firmware and software to address vulnerabilities.
  • Work with vendors to ensure devices meet cybersecurity standards.
• Cybersecurity policies:
  • Establish clear policies for data access, email use, and device management.
  • Train employees on cybersecurity policies and procedures.
  • Regularly review and update policies to address emerging threats.

Related: Tips on proactive data breach prevention for small healthcare practices

FAQs

What types of cyberattacks are most common for small practices?

The most common cyberattacks include phishing emails, ransomware, and malware. Phishing attacks trick employees into revealing sensitive information, while ransomware locks access to data until a ransom is paid. Malware can steal or corrupt data.

What is the biggest cybersecurity risk for small practices?

The biggest risk is often human error, such as employees falling for phishing scams or accidentally sending sensitive information to the wrong recipient.

What is an incident response plan, and why is it important?

An incident response plan outlines the steps to take in the event of a cyberattack or data breach. It’s important because it helps small practices respond quickly and effectively, minimizing damage and ensuring compliance with HIPAA regulations.

Go deeper: What is an incident response plan?