By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    What Are the Benefits of CBD?
    November 27, 2021
    How to Measure Adult Diapers- The Ultimate Guide to Picking the Right Size
    March 8, 2022
    medicine cabinet
    The Effect Of Finished Dosage Form Manufacturing In New Drugs
    July 5, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    turo lawyer
    Why A Good Turo Lawyer Can Help Cover Medical Fees
    April 8, 2024
    Comprehensive Healthcare Treatment for Slip and Fall Injuries: A Guide to Recovery
    Comprehensive Healthcare Treatment for Slip and Fall Injuries: A Guide to Recovery
    December 26, 2023
    Medical Negligence
    The Impact of Medical Negligence: How Claims Can Help You Move Forward
    January 6, 2025
    Latest News
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
    Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
    June 25, 2025
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Phishing in the Healthcare Industry is Real – And Can Have Grave Consequences
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > eHealth > Medical Records > Phishing in the Healthcare Industry is Real – And Can Have Grave Consequences
eHealthMedical RecordsTechnology

Phishing in the Healthcare Industry is Real – And Can Have Grave Consequences

Ryan Kh
Ryan Kh
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE

 

Contents
What is phishing?Why healthcare?Healthcare and ID theft

In the digital age, phishing attacks are becoming an increasing threat to businesses across multiple industries. This is even truer in the healthcare sector, and it’s easy to understand why. If it’s true that information really is power, clearly then, data on patient’s health histories as well as their financial and personal identification data, is enormously powerful. In fact, the trend of cybercriminals looking to acquire such data looks to be getting worse, rather than better.

It’s important, that not just those working in IT for healthcare but everyone – bearing in mind that each of us is a potential target – understands what’s involved in these threats, and what can be done by healthcare organizations to protect their data.

What is phishing?

Phishing is a relatively simple kind of cybercrime. It’s essentially an act of manipulation, where the attacker sends a legit-looking message by email, social network or SMS, pretending to be someone else. Typically, the message appears to be sent by a well-known company, such as PayPal or Amazon. In the message, the cybercriminal prompts their victim to carry out a task, such as clicking on a link or opening an attached file. If the target does click on the link, they will often be asked to input personal information, such as passwords or bank details, which could either be used directly by the cybercriminal or be sold on to another unscrupulous party.

More Read

Image
Healthcare Marketing to the Millennial Mindset
Mobile Health Around the Globe: Magpi Data Collection System Helps Thousands Worldwide
Digital Analytics 101 for Healthcare Marketers: “Fake” or Spam Traffic
GSMA Reports Increased Opportunity for Mobile Operators in the Healthcare Industry
Gastric Bypass Edges Lap-band and Sleeve Gastrectomy in Outcomes

Why healthcare?

Hackers choose their targets based on certain criteria. Sometimes, it’s even the case that they’re employed by a rival country’s government. Modern espionage involves more mouse clicks and keystrokes than physical infiltrations and secret agents. The purpose of hacking a healthcare organization, however, has an easy to understand motivation: money. The healthcare industry is valued at $1.668 trillion.

Another reason why healthcare is such a primary target is that organizations in the sector already have their hands tied up. Healthcare industry also collects an enormous amount of data. While laws like HIPAA try to protect patient privacy, including via cybersecurity measures, there’s a big bulls eye around health data. While some of these organizations have yet to realize the size of the problem they’re facing, cybercriminals are all too well aware of the opportunities that lie before them.

Healthcare and ID theft

Phishing attacks could even cost lives. A hacker, for example, could access a healthcare organization’s records and steal health insurance and social security information in order to get free healthcare for themselves. If they claim surgery, they’ll likely be asked numerous questions: anything from what allergies they have to their blood type and medication, which would then be added to the victim’s file. This may be different than the victim’s actual personal profile. As a result, the next time they require medical assistance, that falsely recorded information could prove literally fatal.

Phishing attacks in healthcare were rife in 2017, with attacks on organizations such as Kaleida Health and the Augusta University Medical Center, the latter of which fell foul to two phishing attacks within 12 months. The NHS in the UK was among the more high-profile cases in the industry as well, falling victim to a global ransomware attack which affected 40 NHS-related organizations. Each infected machine displayed a message which demanded a $300 ransom be paid by digital currency. The attack was a result of a single employee opening one attachment.

It should be obvious by now that there is no end for phishing in sight. The activity means too much, financially, to the perpetrators, and it is too hard to track down the source once an attack has taken place. Phishing attempts are inevitable in this day and age, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t avoid them by applying common sense and ensure a healthy level of scepticism when online. Providing employees with training would be useful in this regard. Conducting ongoing test phishing attacks to ensure that the training has had its desired effect would also be a useful exercise. Healthcare phishing attacks are unlikely to disappear any time soon. By ensuring that staff is trained and technical safeguards remain up to date, organizations in the sector will be placing themselves in a far better position to avoid falling prey to the next attack.

Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share
By Ryan Kh
Follow:
Ryan Kh is an experienced blogger, digital content & social marketer. Founder of Catalyst For Business and contributor to search giants like Yahoo Finance, MSN. He is passionate about covering topics like big data, business intelligence, startups & entrepreneurship. Email: ryankh14@icloud.com

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

9 Lifestyle Tweaks That Can Add Years to Your Life
9 Healthcare Lifestyle Tweaks That can Add Years to Your Life
lifestyle
July 11, 2025
car accident lawsuit
Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
Policy & Law
July 6, 2025
women dental care
What Is a Smile Makeover and How Much Does It Cost?
Dental health
June 30, 2025
HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps
Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
June 25, 2025

You Might also Like

Leading in Social at Cleveland Clinic

May 23, 2012

Mobile Medical Device Connects OR to Content and Reps

September 6, 2013
EHR software
eHealthMedical RecordsTechnology

Follow These DOs and DON’Ts When Comparing EHR Software

October 4, 2014
Medical Device Marketing FDA Regulations
BusinesseHealthMedical DevicesMobile HealthPolicy & LawSocial MediaTechnology

Social Media and FDA Regulation for Medical Devices

October 10, 2014
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?