Cyberattacks on Health Care Grow in Number Even as More Leaders, Staff Gain Awareness

Cybersecurity in healthcare is garnering increased attention from physicians, clinicians, and health system leaders, reflecting a growing concern due to the escalating number of cyberattacks in 2023, marking a "New Era in Healthcare Cybersecurity." As of August 15th, health-related entities have reported 388 incidents, a stark rise of 153 compared to the same period in 2022, impacting over 60 million individuals, according to data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Civil Rights (HHS-OCR), which monitors breaches involving unsecured protected health information for at least 500 patients. Although cyberattacks in healthcare have been steadily increasing in recent years, the current rate of growth is unprecedented. The situation may exacerbate towards the end of 2023, as historical trends indicate a surge in computer attacks during the latter half of the year, fueled by the misconception among foreign hackers that many Americans are on holiday during this period.