Reversing the Risk: The Threat of Cyberattacks to Medical and Scientific Data and the Power of Backup

Every day, hospitals and healthcare facilities around the world are under a constant threat of cyberattacks. Whether it’s the rogue hacker seeking to exploit the vulnerabilities in a hospital’s IT systems or the organized crime syndicates launching sophisticated ransomware attacks, the threat is very real and persistent. In fact, according to a Cybersecurity Ventures report, the global damage costs due to ransomware attacks are predicted to reach $20 billion by 2021[1].

Despite this grim forecast, there is a solution that can drastically reduce the risk and impact of these cyberattacks – and that’s where OpticalBackup comes in. By utilizing a robust backup system like OpticalBackup, healthcare facilities can protect their valuable and sensitive data, from patient records to critical research findings.

Ransomware Attacks: A Clear and Present Danger

Ransomware attacks are a prevalent form of cybercrime that pose a significant risk to healthcare facilities. The Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center (HC3) reported that ransomware attacks on healthcare organizations increased by 350% in Q4 2019 [2]. These attacks involve encrypting a victim’s data and demanding a ransom in return for the decryption key.

One infamous example is the WannaCry ransomware attack in 2017, which hit the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK and caused widespread disruption. Over 200,000 computers were infected, resulting in cancelled surgeries and appointments, and an estimated cost of £92m [3].

Backup: The Best Defense

A comprehensive backup strategy is one of the most effective ways to combat ransomware attacks. By regularly backing up data, healthcare providers can restore their systems quickly and efficiently without having to pay a ransom. This is especially important given the HIPAA requirements for protecting patient data.

OpticalBackup offers an immutable backup solution. Immutable, in this context, means that once data is written onto the backup, it cannot be modified or deleted. This is a crucial feature, particularly in the face of ransomware attacks. Even if hackers manage to infiltrate a system, the original data remains safe and intact on the OpticalBackup system.

Moreover, OpticalBackup is an excellent choice for backing up DICOM and research data. These types of data require long-term preservation and protection, which OpticalBackup is specifically designed to provide.

Cloud Backup vs Offline Backup

Many organizations rely on cloud-based backup solutions. While these offer certain advantages, they also come with risks. Cloud backups can still be vulnerable to ransomware attacks, and data privacy can become a concern, given that the data is stored on third-party servers.

Offline, or “air-gapped,” backups, like OpticalBackup, offer a higher level of protection. With offline backups, data is physically isolated from the network, making it virtually impossible for hackers to access.

In Conclusion

In an era where cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated and damaging, it’s more important than ever for healthcare providers to take proactive steps in protecting their data. OpticalBackup provides an effective, secure backup solution that can safeguard sensitive data, ensure compliance with HIPAA regulations, and ultimately, help maintain the continuity of vital healthcare services.

Don’t wait for a cyberattack to compromise your facility’s data. Secure your data now with OpticalBackup. Visit our blog to learn more about how OpticalBackup can protect your organization’s valuable data [https://opticalbackup.com/blog/].

Sources:
[1] https://cybersecurityventures.com/global-ransomware-damage-costs-predicted-to-reach-20-billion-usd-by-2021/
[2] https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/hc3-ransomware-bulletin-2019.pdf
[3] https://www.bbc.com/news/health-44855629