Medical Data on the Darknet: A Growing Target for Cybercriminals

Over the past year, there has been a significant increase in cyberattacks targeting the healthcare sector. This trend highlights that medical institutions and the sensitive data they store are becoming increasingly attractive to cybercriminals. But what does the future hold for this sector? Experts from the antivirus company Kaspersky Lab have shared their predictions.

Medical Records: More Valuable Than Banking Data

According to Kaspersky Lab’s forecast for 2020, the sale of medical data—such as medical records and insurance policy information—on darknet marketplaces is expected to rise. Notably, there are already listings where medical information is being sold at higher prices than banking card data. With access to such information, criminals can gain the trust of victims and later deceive them or their relatives.

New Attack Vectors: Manipulating Medical Data

Another emerging threat involves attackers altering medical data to make diagnosis more difficult—a form of targeted attack. This manipulation can have serious consequences for both patients and healthcare providers.

Ransomware: The Most Common Threat

Ransomware has become one of the most widespread types of malware affecting the healthcare industry this year. Many successful attacks are the result of healthcare organizations underestimating the risks associated with digitalization. Additionally, employees are often not trained in basic cybersecurity practices, making institutions more vulnerable.

Statistics and Future Risks

According to Kaspersky Lab, in 2019, one in five devices (19%) in medical institutions worldwide was targeted by cybercriminals. Experts believe this number will continue to grow in the coming year. Furthermore, 49% of devices in pharmaceutical companies were also targeted. Researchers predict that in 2020, government-backed groups will become more involved in these types of attacks.

Conclusion

The healthcare sector faces increasing cyber threats, with medical data becoming a prime target for criminals. As the value of this data rises on the darknet, it is crucial for medical institutions to take cybersecurity seriously and invest in proper training and protection measures.