Three proactive steps your practice can take to thwart hackers

The recent cyberattack on Change Healthcare, a pivotal technology provider for numerous U.S. medical practices, has sent shockwaves through the health care industry. In connection with this, data breaches targeting medical records have also become alarmingly frequent. Since 2009, the Department of Health and Human Services has observed a steady increase in such incidents, with a staggering 741 significant breaches reported in 2023 alone.

This troubling reality places medical practices in a vulnerable position. The security of patient information revolves around trust and ethical responsibility, more than just being a compliance issue. Health care providers become the subject of public scrutiny and other severe legal consequences when, more than compromised patient care, they fail to protect sensitive data.

Practitioners can continue to protect their patients and positively contribute to their field by taking these three essential steps proactively:

1. Vigilance – Recognizing the signs of an attack

Cyberattacks often go unnoticed, usually manifesting as minor technical issues at the onset. However, these seemingly everyday occurrences should raise red flags as random system slowdowns indicate a more significant problem.

• Suspicious emails

Phishing is one of the most common tactics used by cybercriminals. It includes unsolicited emails, particularly those with urgent requests or attractive offers. Phishing attempts aim to steal login credentials or install malware on your devices. Ensure that you only open verified or familiar email addresses and avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.

• Unauthorized access attempts

Keep an eye on failed login attempts and network access from unknown devices. Keep your multi-factor authentication turned on to add an extra layer of security.

• Data discrepancies

Missing, altered, or incorrectly sorted data could also signal a breach in security. If there are inconsistencies in patient records, immediately prompt the authority or the person in charge of security in your institution for corrective actions. Regular audits of the database can help identify these anomalies earlier.

2. Response plan – When a breach occurs

Don’t waste time when you suspect a cyberattack. The primary objective is to isolate the affected systems and contain the damage, which might involve changing passwords, locking down accounts, and taking infected devices offline.

After addressing the initial technical issues, contact law enforcement so they can investigate the breach and mitigate further harm. This proactive approach helps track the perpetrators and recover stolen data. It also assures your patients and stakeholders that you are taking the necessary steps to protect their confidential information.

Essentially, health care practitioners are mandated to follow the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Breach Notification Rule, which calls for formal notification to the Department of Health and Human Services, the media, and affected individuals upon incidence.

3. Prevention – The best security plan

Preparing for a breach is way preferable to reacting to it when it already happens. As the saying goes in the medical field, “prevention is always better than cure.” Create a defensive shield for your practice by:

• Creating a response plan: A detailed action plan for handling a cyberattack can save your entire company. Ensure you have clear step-by-step guidelines on detecting, responding to, and recovering from a cyber incident when threats inevitably ensue.
• Educating your team: Regular cybersecurity training sessions expose your team to common threats, phishing scams, and best practices on cyberattacks. Since employees are often the first line of defense, their awareness of such threats can significantly reduce the risk of security breaches.
• Conducting regular security assessments: Security audits help you identify vulnerabilities in your network and systems. Patch software and update security protocols as necessary. Often, partnering with third-party security experts is preferred for a holistic and objective assessment of your security status.

Building trust in the digital age

The Change Healthcare cyberattack underscores the importance of safeguarding the trust patients put in health care providers, and as leaders in the industry, it’s something we cannot afford to lose.

With the changes and advancements in the digital landscape, the health care industry must remain vigilant and proactive in its approach to cybersecurity. The lessons learned from the Change Healthcare cyberattack can serve as a wake-up call for medical practices aiming to shield their patients and maintain their trust.

We can start with small, gradual progress in advocating for a culture of cybersecurity awareness within our institutions. Every staff member, from the front desk to the IT department, contributes to the bigger picture of data protection. Be proactive, informed, and collaborative for continued success in the digital age.

Thomas Kavukat is the chief technology officer at RXNT.