Security News > 2023 > February > Healthcare data breaches still higher than pre-pandemic levels

The number of data breaches affecting healthcare providers declined in the second half of 2022, consistent with a downward trend over the past two years, according to Critical Insight.

Healthcare industry sees a decrease in data breaches.

A deeper dive into the data reveals that current breach totals are still higher than pre-pandemic levels; breaches are affecting more individuals; and hackers are shifting tactics to attack weak links in the healthcare system supply chain, most notably attacking EHR systems.

The report shows that while the number of data breaches affecting healthcare providers declined in the second half of 2022, the number of individual records exposed by these breaches increased by 35%. The report also highlights the evolving tactics of hackers and the need for healthcare organizations to prioritize preparation, detection, and incident response.

Breach numbers are down: Total breaches dropped 9% between the first six months of 2022 and the year's second half, declining since a high-water mark at the height of the pandemic from 393 breaches in the second half of 2020 to 313 in the latest reporting period.

In the second half of 2022, more records were exposed due to breaches at business associates than actual healthcare providers.

News URL

https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2023/02/20/data-breaches-affecting-healthcare-providers/