Is Your Healthcare Info Safe? Not According To This Report
It’s rare these days for anyone to have escaped having their data stolen or compromised. But the facts on just how common data theft and cyberattacks are is alarming when you look at as a whole.
Do you work in any of these sectors? What is your company doing to keep data safe? Is it enough?
The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) – 2023 Data Breach Report has revealed that the healthcare industry is most at risk from cybercriminals, with 809 data violation cases and 56 million victims in 2023. That is a 136% Increase in 2023 alone.
Following recent cyberattacks on private healthcare provider Ascension, it is clear the industry should be on high alert. Unfortunately, additional industries, such as financial services, manufacturing, education, and even non-profits, are experiencing cyberattacks as well.
Ascension Cybersecurity Breach
In May of this year a massive cyberattack was launched on the Ascension faith-based healthcare organization impacting their entire network. This is one example of the significant increase in cyberattacks within the healthcare industry, with a 136% rise in attacks from 2022 to 2023. This indicates an urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures in the sector.
Financial Services Industry Threat
The financial services industry is the second most at-risk industry, with 744 data violation cases in 2023. This sector also saw a notable increase in cyber incidents, rising from 269 cases in 2022 to 744 in 2023—a 177% increase, affecting 61 million victims.
Professional Services Industry Vulnerability
The Professional Services industry ranked third in 2023 with 308 reported cases, impacting 30 million victims. This sector experienced a 38% increase from the previous year, indicating a growing threat.
Manufacturing Industry Breaches
Ranking fourth among the most vulnerable industries is manufacturing, which faced 259 data breach incidents due to cyberattacks in 2023, impacting five million victims.
Education Sector’s Growing Concerns
In 2023, the education sector experienced the fifth-highest count of data breach incidents, affecting four million victims. This marked a 73% rise compared to 2022, with 173 data breach cases.
Technology Industry at Risk
Among the sectors facing significant risk, the technology industry stands out, ranking sixth in 2023 with 167 data breach incidents affecting 65 million victims.
Retail Industry Cyber Threats
The retail sector experienced the seventh-highest number of data breach incidents in 2023, totaling 119 cases, affecting ten million victims.
Non-Profit/NGO Sector Breaches
The non-profit/NGO sector occupies the eighth spot, grappling with 105 data breach incidents and ten million victims in 2023.
Transportation Industry Cybersecurity
The transportation industry contended with 101 cyberattack-induced cases in 2023, affecting 12 million victims.
Government Sector Data Violations
The government sector endured 100 data violation cases in 2023, impacting 15 million victims nationwide, reflecting a 35% increase from the previous year.
Minimal Impact on HR/Staffing Sector
Remarkably, the HR/staffing sector emerged as the least affected, with a mere ten reported data violation incidents in 2023, affecting 239,000 individuals.
Social Services Sector’s Cybersecurity
The social services sector saw 15 instances of data breaches in 2023, significantly fewer compared to other industries, affecting just 193,000 individuals.
SOAX CEO’s Commentary
Stepan Solovev, CEO & Co-founder at SOAX, commented on the findings, emphasizing the need for effective cybersecurity practices and continuous investment in defense mechanisms to mitigate risks and protect against potential breaches.
The Takeaway
The study underscores a concerning rise in cyber incidents across all US industries in 2023, with the healthcare and financial services sectors being particularly vulnerable. As cybercriminals continue to pose an increasing threat, industries must adapt and evolve their cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive information and mitigate risks.
Effective cybersecurity practices, regular employee training, and vigilant monitoring of cyber threats are crucial for all industries, especially those handling vast amounts of sensitive data. The surge in cyberattacks in 2023 serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard against potential breaches.
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