Health data breaches were on the rise last year, leaving millions of Americans’ sensitive health information exposed.
Nearly 50 million people had their health data breached in 2021, a three-fold increase in three years. The figure comes from Politico, which analyzed recent data from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Every state except South Dakota had breach incidents, the media outlet found.
Healthcare data breaches have been a rising concern for healthcare organizations, patients and lawmakers, with the healthcare sector being one of the top targets for cyber attacks.
As digital health records become more sophisticated and accessible across healthcare organizations, patients’ records have become more vulnerable. More than 1 in 10 residents in half of states plus Washington, D.C. were impacted by unauthorized access to their health data. Of these breaches, 75% stemmed from hacking –– up a big leap from 35% in 2016.
With the rise in online attacks, healthcare organizations and leaders are more interested in preventing cyber attacks and investing in privacy and security protections. There are several reasons health data breaches are increasing, including remote work opening up more possibilities for hackers to find and steal information.
In addition, health data breaches are valuable, making them financially lucrative targets. Hackers typically sell this information or use it fraudulently.
“Unfortunately, the industry is pretty much easy pickings, and they’re hitting it because they’re getting paid,” Mac McMillan, CEO of cybersecurity company CynergisTek, told the Wall Street Journal. “It’s [not] gonna slow down until we either get more serious about stopping it, or blocking it, or being more effective at it. From the cybercriminals’ perspective, they’re being successful, they’re getting paid, why would they stop?”
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."