The number of patient records exposed in data breaches doubled in 2023, highlighting the need for cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive healthcare data, says GlobalData.
Alarming surge
Various factors contribute to the alarming surge, including the digitisation of healthcare records which expands the attack surface, increasing sophistication of cyberattacks, and the growing value of healthcare data on the black market.
“The repercussions of these breaches extend far beyond the immediate exposure of patient records. Patients impacted by these breaches face significant risks, including identity theft, financial fraud, and potential harm to their privacy and confidentiality. Moreover, healthcare organisations that fall victim to data breaches risk facing severe consequences, including reputational damage, regulatory fines, and legal liabilities,” says Kamilla Kan, senior data scientist in the Medical Devices team at GlobalData.
Robust cybersecurity
Amid rising healthcare data breaches, healthcare organisations are encouraged to proactively strengthen cybersecurity to protect vulnerable patient records and data and to mitigate the risk of breaches.
“Ultimately, the surge in patient record breaches underscores the urgent need for a proactive and holistic approach to healthcare data security. As the healthcare industry continues to embrace digital transformation, stakeholders across the ecosystem must work together to fortify defenses, mitigate risks, and safeguard the privacy and security of patient data. Only through concerted efforts and collective action can we ensure a future where healthcare data remains safe, secure, and protected from exploitation,” says Kan.