In recent months, the alarming cybersecurity breach at Change
Healthcare, the healthcare payment-processing company under the healthcare
giant UnitedHealth Group, has thrown a spotlight on a chilling reality:
cyberthreats can lurk undetected within our networks, ready to unleash chaos at
a moment's notice. The breach, executed by the notorious ALPHV/BlackCat hacker
group, involved the group lying dormant within the company's environment for
nine days before activating a crippling ransomware attack.
This incident, which severely
impacted the US healthcare system, a network with a large budget for
cybersecurity, underscores an urgent message for all business leaders: a robust
cybersecurity system and recovery plan are not optional but a fundamental
necessity for every business out there.
The attack began with hackers using
leaked credentials to access a key application that was shockingly left without
the safeguard of multifactor authentication.
Once inside, the hackers stole data
locked it down, and then demanded a hefty ransom.
This action stalled nationwide
healthcare payment-processing systems, for thousands of pharmacies and
hospitals causing them to grind to a halt!
Then things got even worse!
The personal health information and
personal information of potentially millions of Americans were also stolen. The
hackers set up an exit scam, demanding a second ransom to not release this
information.
This breach required a temporary
shutdown, disconnecting entire systems from the Internet, a massive overhaul of
the IT infrastructure, and significant financial losses estimated to potentially
reach $1.6 billion by year's end. Replacing laptops, rotating credentials, and
rebuilding the data center network were only a few of the actions the
UnitedHealth Group had to take. More than financial, the cost was deeply human
- impacting health care services and risking personal data.
While devastating, it's a powerful
reminder that threats can dwell in silence within our networks, waiting for an opportune
moment to strike.
It is not enough to react; proactive
measures are essential.
Ensuring systems are secured,
implementing multifactor authentication, regularly updating and patching
software, and having a recovery plan in place in the event of an attack are
steps that can no longer be overlooked and are basic requirements for doing business
in today's world.
Also, the idea that "We're too small
to be a target" is false. Just because you're not big enough to make national
news, doesn't mean you're too small to be attacked!
Cybersecurity isn't just an IT
issue; it's a cornerstone of modern business strategy. It requires investment,
training, and a culture of security awareness throughout the organization.
The fallout from a breach reaches
far beyond the immediately affected systems. It can erode customer trust,
disrupt services, and lead to severe financial and reputational damage, and your
business will be the one blamed.
As we consider
the lessons from the Change Healthcare incident, you must make
cybersecurity a top priority. Investing in comprehensive cybersecurity measures
isn't just a precaution - it's a fundamental responsibility to our customers,
our stakeholders, and our future.
Remember, in
the realm of cyber threats, what you can't see can hurt you - and preparation is
your most powerful defense.
Is YOUR organization secure? If you're not sure, or just want a second opinion, our cybersecurity experts will provide you with a FREE Security Risk Assessment that will detail if and where you're vulnerable and what to do about it.
Click here to learn more about cyber attacks.
Schedule your free risk assessment today!
