Cybersecurity Challenges in Healthcare

Mr. Surjeet Thakur, Co-founder & CEO of TrioTree Technologies

The evolving healthcare sector of India is focused on creative and integrated digital service delivery models that have tremendous potential for benefiting patient care and efficiencies. Yet, with the progression in digitized and integrated service delivery comes a new risk – cyber threats and attacks from hackers. The increasing use of electronic health records (EHRs), telemedicine, and remote web-based health services extends potential exposure to patient health information. The hackers are infiltrating the networks and violating privacy and lives, interpreting it as a profit opportunity. In today’s world, cybersecurity in a healthcare environment is a discussion not solely for concern regarding technical issues but is also a risk for national security and, importantly, patient safety.

Rising Cyber incidents in India

India experienced a shocking spike in cyberattacks during the month of healthcare. The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) recorded more than 1.39 million security incidents in sectors in 2022, where attacks directed at healthcare increased significantly (CERT-In Annual Report). In November 2022, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) was targeted in a substantial cyberattack; hackers used ransomware to lock access to important hospital information. Consequently, online services, including patient records, lab reports, and appointments, became non-operational for about two weeks. The system then faced extreme treatment delays and proved just how susceptible the cybersecurity systems are in our best hospitals in the country. The breach established that hospitals need better online security protocols to protect patient files and distribute medical services without interruption.

Financial and Human Cost

In its report titled Increased Cyber Attacks on the Global Healthcare Sector, CloudSEK stated that India contributed 7.7% of global cyberattacks on the healthcare sector in 2021, ranking it as the second most attacked country after the United States. The Estimated Global Cost of Cybercrime: Cybersecurity Ventures estimates that global cybercrime expenses will increase by 15% each year for the next five years, to $10.5 trillion per year by 2025.

Under the overarching problem of healthcare cybersecurity issues in India, the government has taken key initiatives to ensure sensitive medical information is safeguarded. The National Health Authority is strengthening cybersecurity across the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), looking to establish an integrated digital health ecosystem through one-of-a-kind health IDs and safe data transfer. Also, the Digital Information Security in Healthcare Act (DISHA) is proposed to create tight regulations for digital health record handling. These attempts are made to tighten data privacy, provide patient authorization, and secure the healthcare industry from increasing cyberattacks.

How TrioTree Leads

TrioTree is committed to building cybersecurity awareness across the healthcare industry. We run targeted campaigns and online literacy programs to educate hospital personnel, clinicians, and administrative staff in threat detection and response. From hands-on training sessions on safe data handling to webinars on emerging cyber threats, we provide solutions-focused tools to bridge the gap between technical threats and real-world responses.

We regularly conduct awareness drives, webinars, and training programmes for healthcare professionals, sensitizing them to phishing, data hacking, and ransomware attacks. We simplify complex cybersecurity principles so that frontline personnel can take positive steps to safeguard patient information. In the world of connected care today, the protection of data is the protection of the patient. With knowledge, tools, and coordination by the government, industry, and individuals, we can create a secure and trustworthy digital system for healthcare