Understanding the Cyber Threat Landscape in the Health Care and Social Assistance Sector
In an era where digital transformation is reshaping industries, the Health Care and Social Assistance (HSA) sector stands out as a prime target for cybercriminals. ReliaQuest is proud to announce the publication of our comprehensive Health Care and Social Assistance Sector Threat Landscape report, which delves into the evolving cyber threats that this vital industry faces. With the extensive use of internet-accessible applications, remote work infrastructure, and the sensitive nature of patient data, the HSA sector has become increasingly attractive to malicious actors. This article summarizes the key themes of the report, including prevalent MITRE ATT&CK techniques, initial access methods, and a forecast of future cyber threats.
Top MITRE ATT&CK Techniques Targeting the Sector
The report highlights the most common MITRE ATT&CK techniques observed in the HSA sector over the past year. Understanding these techniques is crucial for organizations aiming to bolster their cybersecurity defenses. The following techniques were identified as the most prevalent:
- T1566.002 – Phishing: Spearphishing Link (51.55%)
- T1566.001 – Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment (26.75%)
- T1190 – Enterprise: Exploit Public-Facing Application (24.76%)
- T1566 – Phishing (18.09%)
- T1133 – Enterprise: External Remote Services (11.97%)
These statistics underscore the alarming frequency of phishing attacks, which remain the most common entry point for cybercriminals targeting the HSA sector.
Initial Access Techniques
Spearphishing, particularly through links and attachments, is the primary method of initial access for attackers targeting the HSA sector. Nearly 30% of incidents across all sectors began with spearphishing, with the HSA sector disproportionately accounting for 13% of these attacks. The fast-paced environment of hospitals and medical establishments makes them particularly vulnerable to such tactics.
In addition to spearphishing, attackers exploit public-facing applications and abuse external remote services. Many HSA organizations prioritize patient care over cybersecurity, leading to outdated or unpatched applications and legacy devices. These vulnerabilities create easy entry points for threat actors, who can exploit weaknesses such as unpatched software, misconfigurations, or weak authentication mechanisms to gain unauthorized access.
GreyMatter Insights
Reducing the mean time to contain (MTTC) incidents is critical for maintaining business continuity and minimizing the impact of cyber threats. The HSA sector faces unique challenges due to the critical nature of its data, strict regulatory requirements, and the potential detrimental impacts on patient health if services are disrupted by a cyber attack.
Our analysis reveals that:
- The average MTTC for HSA organizations using manual response strategies is approximately 2 hours and 34 minutes, a significant improvement compared to eight hours and 56 minutes for organizations in other sectors that do not use automation.
- The HSA sector is more likely than other sectors to adopt automation, such as GreyMatter Automated Response Playbooks (ARPs) in their cybersecurity response efforts.
- Organizations utilizing GreyMatter ARPs have reduced their MTTC to an average of just one minute for relevant alerts, significantly mitigating threats and minimizing disruptions.
Cyber Threat Forecast for the HSA Sector
As we look to the future, several key trends are expected to shape the cyber threat landscape for the HSA sector:
Phishing and Social Engineering
The HSA sector remains particularly vulnerable to phishing and social engineering attacks, exacerbated by a lack of cybersecurity training, especially in publicly funded and understaffed organizations. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted these vulnerabilities, as overworked teams may unintentionally neglect cybersecurity protocols. We anticipate an increase in AI-generated phishing emails and voice/video attacks. To counter these threats, HSA organizations should implement robust verification processes, establish clear cybersecurity policies, and deploy advanced email filtering solutions.
Hacktivism
Hacktivist groups, such as Killnet, Anonymous Sudan, and Noname057(16), have ramped up DDoS attacks on HSA organizations, particularly following geopolitical tensions like the Russia-Ukraine war. To mitigate these threats, HSA organizations should ensure redundancy for critical systems, establish alternative communication channels, configure network equipment to prioritize health services, and monitor hacktivist channels for early warnings.
Infostealers
The rise in online health care data storage has led to an increase in infostealer-based attacks aimed at compromising credentials and stealing sensitive patient information. HSA organizations should adopt a Digital Risk Protection (DRP) strategy to monitor for exposed credentials, scan dark web sources, and limit session durations to reduce the risk of credential theft.
Key Takeaways
The HSA sector is at a critical juncture, confronting a myriad of sophisticated cyber threats that exploit its unique vulnerabilities. The prevalence of phishing and vulnerable remote services highlights the urgent need for advanced defensive measures. Many health care organizations, particularly those in publicly funded systems, lack robust cybersecurity training, leaving staff susceptible to phishing attacks. Additionally, the rise in AI capabilities allows threat actors to automate and streamline their operations, increasing the frequency and sophistication of phishing attacks.
The surge in infostealer-based attacks further complicates the threat landscape for HSA organizations, necessitating robust Digital Risk Protection strategies and tailored defensive technologies. To effectively navigate these challenges, HSA organizations must invest in automation, AI-driven solutions, and proactive threat hunting to enhance their ability to swiftly detect and mitigate threats.
Get the Full Health Care and Social Assistance Threat Landscape Report
For a deeper understanding of the intricate cyber threats targeting the HSA sector, including initial access techniques, dark web intelligence, and actionable strategies to enhance your cybersecurity posture, we invite you to read our full report.
In conclusion, as the HSA sector continues to evolve, so too must its defenses against the ever-growing landscape of cyber threats. By staying informed and proactive, organizations can better protect themselves and the sensitive data they handle.