Security News > 2020 > December > 45 million medical images left exposed online

More than 45 million medical images - including X-rays and CT scans - are left exposed on unprotected servers, a CybelAngel report reveals.

The analysts found that openly available medical images, including up to 200 lines of metadata per record which included PII and PHI, could be accessed without the need for a username or password.

"This is a concerning discovery and proves that more stringent security processes must be put in place to protect how sensitive medical data is shared and stored by healthcare professionals. A balance between security and accessibility is imperative to prevent leaks from becoming a major data breach."

Gaps in security, such as this, present a huge risk, both for the individuals whose data is compromised and the healthcare institutions that are governed by regulations to protect patients' data.

The report highlights the security risks of publicly accessible images containing highly personal information including ransomware and blackmail.

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