Medical facilities and hospitals could suffer cyber-attacks and face incredible liabilities. With emerging IT systems for hospitals, the need to secure patient information grows every day. A cyber attack could lead to complications that prevent doctors from treating patients. Attacks can also cause life-threatening situations for patients that need medication fast. By reviewing the top risks, administrators must find the best solutions for protecting their data and patients.  

  1. Ransomware

Ransomware is malicious software that gets into the registry files and takes over the network. The attacker denies access to the files and databases until the medical facility pays the ransom. Typically, the attackers request bitcoins since they are more difficult to track. For a hospital, the denial of service attack isn’t just about finances, but it prevents the doctors and nurses from managing patient care. 

They cannot access their patient records or review the course of treatment. This could increase risks for patients and may prevent access to medications. Hospital administrators who want to find better ways to protect their network start by contacting Lumos now.  

  1. Phishing Schemes

Phishing attacks find their way into a network via connections to emails and vulnerable websites. They are used to steal data from the hospital, such as medical records for patients such as public officials that may have something to hide. The scammers also use the attack to steal insurance information, credit card numbers, and checking account information. Hospital databases have these details from their patients, and attackers will use the attacks to collect information and use it for personal gain.   

  1. Vulnerable Operating Systems

When maintaining security for the network, the business owner must update the operating systems as their certificates and licenses run out. Whenever developers find issues in their products, they release patches and fixes to eliminate problems for users. The administrator must complete these steps and install them onto the network. If they don’t complete the updates, the operating system becomes vulnerable and gives attackers access to the network.   

  1. SSL Stripping 

Secure socket layers are used to protect patient data and prevent an attacker from seeing their personal information and banking information. Unfortunately, attackers can recreate pages to look like an encrypted secured socket layer. For hospitals, the stripping down of the secured layer makes them liable if a patient’s information is stolen and used for personal gain. When the attacks happen, the hospital could face a serious crisis and lawsuits.   

  1. Man in the Middle Attacks

A man-in-the-middle attack is a revelation all its own. The design fools individuals into believing that they have arrived at the website they wanted to visit. Unfortunately, the attackers add data or information that makes the viewer enter details that are beneficial to the attacker. 

This could include their banking information or the attacker could use the links to breach the user’s network. The attacks could send information into a hospital database that is false. For example, they could use the attacks to change patient information and cause harm.  

Medical facilities and hospitals must find better ways to stop cyber attacks. Since more patient information is stored electronically, even a small breach could lead to altered files or stolen credit card information. It is vital for hospital administrators to find robust security schemes that stop these attacks and protect their patients. Some attacks could take over the entire hospital and prevent them from treating their patients.