Securing Remote Access in Healthcare
Recent Attack
Event: Remote access breach at a healthcare organization
Date: February 2024
Bad Actor: APT29 (Cozy Bear)
Source: Security Magazine
Mitigation Control
Secure Controls Framework (SCF) Control: Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all remote access points. Ensure all remote connections are encrypted and use secure protocols.
User Action
Direct Action: Configure and enforce multi-factor authentication for remote access systems.
Impact Metrics
- Affected Entities: 30,000 patient records compromised
- Financial Implications: $3.5 million in recovery costs and fines
Implementation Time
Time: Approximately 1 week to configure and enforce MFA across all systems
Immediate Benefit
Benefit: Significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access and protects sensitive patient data.
Protecting Healthcare Data from Phishing Attacks
Recent Attack
Event: Phishing attack on a healthcare provider
Date: April 2024
Bad Actor: Fancy Bear group
Source: HealthITSecurity
Mitigation Control
Secure Controls Framework (SCF) Control: Conduct regular phishing awareness training for all staff members. Implement email filtering solutions to detect and block malicious emails.
User Action
Direct Action: Enroll all employees in a phishing awareness program and ensure they complete training sessions regularly.
Impact Metrics
- Affected Entities: 50,000 patient records exposed
- Financial Implications: $2 million in fines and recovery costs
Implementation Time
Time: Approximately 2 weeks to roll out training and implement email filtering
Immediate Benefit
Benefit: Reduces the likelihood of successful phishing attacks and enhances overall data security.
Safeguarding Patient Data from Ransomware Attacks
Recent Attack
Event: Ransomware attack on a healthcare facility
Date: March 2024
Bad Actor: Lorenz ransomware group
Source: Healthcare IT News
Mitigation Control
Secure Controls Framework (SCF) Control: Implement comprehensive backup and recovery procedures. Regularly back up all critical data and store it in a secure, off-site location.
User Action
Direct Action: Schedule and perform regular backups, ensuring data is encrypted both in transit and at rest.
Impact Metrics
- Affected Entities: Over 100,000 patient records compromised
- Financial Implications: Estimated $5 million in recovery and fines
Implementation Time
Time: Approximately 1 week to set up and test backup systems
Immediate Benefit
Benefit: Ensures quick recovery of patient data and minimizes downtime in case of an attack.