Effects Of Malware And Phishing On Health Information Safety ✓ Solved

Effects of malware and phishing in Health Information Safety

Recently, the health care industry has emerged to be the most affected sector for cybercrimes attack. Healthcare facilities store patients' information, which is sensitive to the outside world. This research paper's main objective is to analyze the effects of malware attacks and phishing as far as health information safety and security pertaining to patients is concerned, which is the main topic. Additionally, the research paper is required to give its findings from the research conducted through the use of questionnaires and statistical data since obtained from peer-reviewed articles. The report will further give recommendations on ways on how these effects of malware attacks and phishing can be mitigated by health care facilities.

The report will further emphasize why patients' health information must be protected from cybercriminals or hackers. Health information of patients is confidential and should be protected against malware attacks and phishing, which are the main types of cybercrimes affecting the sector. Cybercriminals can use the patients' medical information to commit crimes, threaten or harass the patients who are the main victims. As technology is advancing, there have been countless attacks in the health care system by introducing malicious malware attacks and phishing to gain access to desired data. Malware has been introduced to devices connected to the internet countless times.

For instance, the entire system has been compromised by providing login credentials to health care providers. Some of the recommendations addressed to curb the threats of malware attacks and phishing in the health care system are the provision of education and training for medical staff on how to recognize malware attacks and phishing attempts, scanning documents with antivirus, providing in-depth security like unique passwords, and employment of IT experts in the facilities who will be able to run the electronic patient record system to curb such attacks. Peer-reviewed articles on this topic include public health, non-information systems, and popular trade publications, who found out that every year at most, 5% of hospitals in the world are affected by malware attacks and phishing.

The research questions include:

• What are privacy and security measures put in place to ensure a patient's health information is secured from malware and phishing?
• How to improve health information safety and security and adhere to health privacy while keeping in mind the high technological advancement rate?

However, there is an existing gap in the interstate health information exchange network and internal disclosure of personal data. Thus, the federal governments need to come up with laws that enhance health information security in the digital world. According to Branch et al. (2019), about 40% of health care facilities in the United States have ever faced malware attacks and phishing. The study's purpose is to explore the effects of malware and phishing and how to mitigate the threat.

The research focuses on how malware and phishing have affected the patients' data privacy, safety, and security. The research study targets mainly health care facilities. The study will be conducted through qualitative questionnaires and statistical data to help in research. As a software engineer in the healthcare domain, this dissertation relates to my work. The digitalization of healthcare records needs software programs to be developed, which is a software engineer's responsibility.

Additionally, interviews with different top management employees in the health care facilities will help propose measures to be put in place to combat malware attacks and phishing effects.

Paper For Above Instructions

Cybersecurity in healthcare has never been as critical as it is today, as hospitals and medical facilities increasingly face threats from malware and phishing attacks. These cybercrimes not only jeopardize sensitive patient data but also undermine the entire healthcare system's integrity. According to L. Branch et al. (2019), about 40% of healthcare facilities in the United States have faced malware attacks and phishing. This alarming statistic necessitates comprehensive strategies to safeguard patient information and improve health information safety.

Malware attacks in healthcare can take different forms, including ransomware, which encrypts data and demands payment to restore access. The complexity and significance of healthcare data make it a lucrative target for cybercriminals. The sensitive nature of patient information adds another layer of urgency to the issue. Not only can such breaches lead to financial losses for healthcare facilities, but they can also cause devastating repercussions for patients who may suffer from compromised medical information.

Phishing, another prevalent method of attack, involves deceiving staff into divulging sensitive credentials through misleading emails or messages that may appear legitimate. Harkins and Freed (2018) discuss how healthcare employees are often targeted due to their access to critical patient data, which can be exploited maliciously. Educational programs tailored for healthcare providers should be a priority to ensure they can recognize and respond to phishing attempts effectively.

To enhance health information safety, healthcare organizations must establish robust privacy and security measures. The implementation of multi-factor authentication is a significant step forward. By requiring multiple forms of verification, healthcare facilities can better protect sensitive data from unauthorized access. Furthermore, conducting regular security awareness training for staff can significantly reduce the risk of phishing attacks. Employees should be familiar with the signs of phishing emails and know protocol for reporting suspicious communications.

Incorporating advanced technologies such as machine learning and artificial intelligence into cybersecurity efforts can also proactively spot and neutralize potential threats. These technologies can analyze vast amounts of data, recognize patterns indicative of cyber threats, and respond in real time. This level of proactive defense can be a game-changer in the ongoing battle against cybercriminals.

Additionally, healthcare leaders must ensure that systems are regularly updated and patched. Cybercriminals are continuously developing new methods to exploit vulnerabilities. By maintaining current software and implementing a stringent update policy, healthcare organizations can close gaps that attackers might exploit.

Recommendations for Mitigating Threats

To mitigate the impacts of malware and phishing in healthcare, several actionable recommendations can be implemented:

• Staff Education and Training: Regular training sessions should be held to educate staff on identifying phishing attempts and malicious software.
• Implement Antivirus Programs: Regular scanning and monitoring using robust antivirus solutions should be mandatory within healthcare facilities.
• Use Unique Passwords: Establish policies requiring the use of complex passwords that are changed regularly.
• Employ IT Experts: Hiring cybersecurity professionals to oversee the protection of electronic health records can drastically reduce vulnerabilities.
• Adopt Incident Response Plans: Developing and rehearsing a response plan for data breaches can significantly improve recovery time and minimize damage.
• Collaborate with Regulatory Bodies: Engaging with federal and state authorities to ensure compliance with evolving cybersecurity laws and regulations will strengthen security frameworks.

In addition to these recommendations, healthcare facilities need to foster a culture of cybersecurity. This culture should emphasize the importance of vigilance and proactive engagement in cybersecurity practices. Keeping employees informed about current cybersecurity trends and threats can empower them to be active participants in safeguarding patient data.

Conclusion

As healthcare continues to digitize, the risks associated with cybercrime, particularly malware and phishing, will evolve. Understanding these threats and establishing a comprehensive security framework is essential for protecting patient information and ensuring the safety of healthcare facilities. By investing in education, technology, and employee engagement, healthcare organizations can create a robust defense against the ever-growing menace of cybercrime.

References

• Branch, L., Eller, W., Bias, T., McCawley, M., Myers, D., Gerber, B., & Bassler, J. (2019). Trends in malware attacks against United States healthcare organizations. Global Biosecurity, 1(1).
• Harkins, M., & Freed, A. M. (2018). The ransomware assault on the healthcare sector. Journal of Law & Cyber Warfare, 6(2).
• Phishing Attacks: Top 3 Reasons Healthcare Employees Are Prime Targets | Agari. (2020). Retrieved from [URL].
• Wang, Y., & Lauter, K. (2018). Cybersecurity in Healthcare: A Comprehensive Overview. Journal of Health Informatics Research, 2(3), 219-228.
• Raj, P., & Rani, U. (2020). Emerging Trends in Cybersecurity for Healthcare Environments. Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics, 24(5), 1347-1355.
• Johnson, C. M., & Saini, A. (2019). Evaluating Cybersecurity Policies in Health Organizations. Journal of Healthcare Management, 64(6), 442-452.
• Mackey, T. K., & Nayyar, G. (2016). Cybersecurity in Health Care: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Health Policy and Technology, 5(2), 98-102.
• Silva, A. M. A., & Pinto, R. M. (2019). Cybersecurity Awareness in Healthcare: A Case Study. Health Information Science and Systems, 7(1), 15.
• Gordon, L. A., & Loeb, M. P. (2017). The Economics of Cybersecurity: Principles and Policy Issues. Journal of Cybersecurity, 3(1), 1-3.
• Liu, J., & Zhao, Y. (2021). Cybersecurity Risk Management in Health Care: Approaches and Lessons Learned. Journal of Health Information Management, 35(1), 15-24.