Tenable raises concerns vs cyber threats targeting APAC healthcare
Tenable, an Exposure Management company, has revealed a concerning trend in cybercriminal tactics, with healthcare institutions in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region becoming prime targets. Their latest Threat Landscape report shows that ransomware attacks on healthcare rose significantly in 2022, accounting for 35.4% of all breaches, up from 24% the previous year.
Notable incidents, like the 2023 Covid-19 vaccination portal breach in India and the cyberattack on Hong Kong’s OT&P Healthcare group, have exposed massive amounts of healthcare and personal data. The cost of healthcare data breaches has surged by 53.3% since 2020, reaching an average of USD 10.93 million, according to the IBM Security Cost of a Data Breach Report 2023.
Nigel Ng, VP of Asia Pacific and Japan at Tenable, highlights that cybercriminals are increasingly targeting healthcare due to slower adoption of cybersecurity measures. The consequences of these attacks are far-reaching, from financial losses to disruptions in medical services and data compromise.
As healthcare institutions in the APAC region digitize rapidly, Tenable emphasizes the importance of strengthening cybersecurity. While governments consider stricter data protection laws, Ng advises a proactive approach, including regular risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities, provide cybersecurity employee training, continuous monitoring of systems to detect potential threats, preventive measures like encryption and access control to protect data, and having a cyberattack response plan.
Ng underscores the trust placed in healthcare institutions, stating that they are more than service providers; they are pillars of trust in communities, safeguarding not just data but the well-being of countless individuals and essential medical services.
Category: Education
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