Numerous types of facilities technology, such as building operating systems, can be a healthcare organization’s weakest digital link because they were conceived and designed before the internet’s rapid growth. Many of these systems also stood alone, separate from IT networks. For many organizations, modernization included tapping into the communication potential of the internet. One result of this evolution is cybersecurity problems.

Breaches, ransomware and other security incidents today are becoming larger and more disruptive at healthcare organizations, with scam artists, cybercriminals and even nation-state actors becoming ever more brazen and persistent, according to the 2020 HIMSS Cybersecurity Survey. Phishing remains the most common initial vulnerability, allowing bad actors an entry point from which they can exploit hospital IT systems, reports, Healthcare IT News. The survey gathered feedback from 168 U.S.-based healthcare cybersecurity professionals – mostly IT leaders at provider organizations but also some consultants and vendors – to provide a snapshot of the current security landscape.

Attackers sought financial and employee information, as is money, according to the survey. Employee information is also popular information because it is valuable for both phishers and identity thieves. Patient information was only number three on the list.

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