Why cyber defence in Healthcare is crucial and how it highlights the need for robust third-party security.
The recent MediSecure hack in Australia has sent shockwaves through the healthcare industry.
This breach is one of the largest in Australian history. It didn’t just expose sensitive patient information – it has compromised12.9 million Australians, shattering their trust and therefore highlighting a glaring vulnerability in third-party security.
Let’s dissect why this happened and explore how you can stay on top of cybersecurity and safeguard your data and operations, especially if you are in the service sector.
The vulnerability in Healthcare data
If you are a healthcare organisation, you are a prime target for cyberattacks.
Why? Because you store vast amounts of sensitive personal information. With the growing interconnectivity of systems and reliance on third-party providers, the risk of such breaches is higher than ever.
How did this happen?
The MediSecure hack occurred due to vulnerabilities in third-party APIs. A vulnerability in a third-party software component was exploited by cybercriminals. This allowed unauthorised access to sensitive data, leading to a significant breach.
In our interconnected world, data often flows between multiple service providers. While this facilitates better services, it also introduces more points of vulnerability. The more third parties involved, the higher the risk—not just from a single entity but from the complex web of interconnected systems.
MediSecure, like many other organisations, relies on external vendors and partners to perform essential functions. While these third parties can provide valuable services, they also introduce risks if they aren’t adequately managed and secured.
Unfortunately, this isn’t an isolated incident; third-party vulnerabilities have been the Achilles’ heel in many cybersecurity events.
Be in better control with CTEM
Traditional cybersecurity measures often fall short in the face of sophisticated attacks. To stay ahead, it’s vital to adopt a proactive approach known as Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM).
What is CTEM?
CTEM is a methodology that provides continuous visibility into your digital and cloud environments.
It simulates potential attack paths, identifies vulnerabilities, and helps harden your defences before an actual breach occurs.
Think of it as a constant digital feedback loop.
Benefits of CTEM
- Comprehensive Reporting: Gain full visibility into your third-party ecosystem of where attackers can infiltrate your systems, with detailed reports and actionable insights.
- Proactive Defence: Identify weak points and take steps to strengthen your security posture.
- Continuous Monitoring: Unlike traditional periodic assessments, CTEM provides ongoing insights, adapting to new threats as they emerge.
- Compliance Management: Ensure all third parties adhere to your security policies and industry regulations, reducing the risk of non-compliance.
- Risk Assessment: Conduct thorough risk assessments of third-party vendors, providing you with a clear understanding of potential risks and mitigation strategies.
- Expectation Management: In the event of a security breach, be better positioned to respond swiftly, minimising damage and restoring normal operations.
Similar cyberattack events stemmed from third parties
Service NSW Data Breach (2020)
Service NSW reported a data breach affecting 186,000 customers, due to compromised email accounts of multiple employees, which were exploited through phishing attacks targeting third-party applications.
Following the breach, Service NSW enhanced its email security protocols and implemented multi-factor authentication across all systems.
LandMark White Data Breach (2019)
LandMark White, a property valuation firm, experienced a data breach where personal information of over 100,000 customers was exposed. The breach was linked to third-party data storage vulnerabilities.
The company improved its cybersecurity measures by implementing better data encryption and transitioning to more secure cloud storage solutions.
Australian National University (ANU) Data Breach (2018)
ANU suffered a data breach that exposed the personal information of students and staff. The breach was traced back to a vulnerability in the university’s third-party service providers.
ANU conducted a comprehensive review of its cybersecurity policies, upgraded its IT infrastructure, and engaged in active monitoring of third-party vendors.
Emerge stronger through CTEM
While these breaches were devastating, managing to turn cybersecurity crises into opportunities for improvement and growth is not impossible. Here are some examples of the actions you can take and the outcomes you can expect.
Action 1: Regular penetration testing, continuous monitoring
Conduct regular testing and monitoring of threat landscapes, and regular audits of third-party vendors.
Outcome: Significantly reduce the number of successful cyberattacks and improve your overall cybersecurity posture.
Action 2: Strengthen your third-party risk management
Focus on strengthening your third-party risk management by adopting CTEM practices such as real-time threat intelligence sharing, automated vulnerability scanning, and comprehensive incident response plans.
Outcome: Mitigate the risks associated with third-party vulnerabilities and enhance the security of customer data.
Action 3: Continuously assess security controls and regular threat simulations
Continuous assessment of third-party security controls, regular threat simulations, and collaboration with cybersecurity firms for advanced threat detection.
Outcome: Greater resilience against cyber threats, ensuring the protection of both customer and operational data.
The cost of 'doing nothing'
Failing to act leaves your organisation vulnerable. Just as you wouldn’t drive a car blindfolded, you shouldn’t navigate digital threats without continuous feedback.
CTEM acts as a guide, informing you of potential hazards and helping you steer clear of them.
How you can enhance your cyber defence now
Evaluate third-party risks
Understand the privileges you’ve granted to third-party vendors and assess how these could be exploited.
Simulate attacks
Use tools and simulations to determine potential entry points and take pre-emptive measures to secure them.
Get in the habit of 'continuous feedback'
Implement CTEM in your environment to get real-time feedback on your security status, much like having a GPS that updates road conditions continuously.
Conclusion: Assess your digital environment regularly to harden your cyber defence
Cybersecurity is no longer optional; it’s a necessity.
By implementing CTEM, you not only protect your data but also gain peace of mind knowing you’re prepared for any eventuality. The journey to robust cyber defence is ongoing, requiring constant vigilance and adaptation.
But with the right tools and strategies, you can ensure your organisation’s safety in an increasingly risky digital world.
What now?
Consider implementing CTEM not only in your digital environment, but also in your third-party vendors’ digital landscape.
If you’re unsure where to begin, we’re here to help you.
At Northbridge Systems, we understand the critical importance of securing your network as well as the digital link between you and your third-party vendors. This is non-negotiable in today’s digital environment to ensure you continue to empower your evolution.
Why Northbridge Systems over others?
The simple answer is, it’s time to do things differently. And we know exactly how to navigate different digital landscapes unique to your environment.
As innovators in the space, our CTEM approach has been designed to be far more frictionless for your digital environment than current practices.
Most importantly, we know your time and resources are crucial. Therefore, our CTEM approach is custom-built to help healthcare organisations like yours gain control, visibility, and peace of mind.
Think: Swift. Secure. Sustainable.
Final thoughts
You can be hacked anytime. That’s the ugly truth of the modern digital world.
But you always have the power to act now and control the risks.
Don't stay in the dark
Navigating modern cybersecurity can be daunting, especially with cybercriminals getting more and more sophisticated in their attacks.
But don’t worry, we’ve got you. Securing and sustaining your organisation starts with staying on top of current trends.Â
Be sure to grab your copy of Top Cybersecurity Trends now.
CTEM is a widely emerging top trend in the current cloud and digital environments and rightly so, as endorsed by Gartner.Â
About Northbridge Systems: NORTHBRIDGE SYSTEMS is an ally and tech accelerator for service-led organisations to democratise technology by simplifying the complexities. Powered by VoIP Pty Ltd, since our inception in 1999, our commitment to support, secure and sustain a resilient IT ecosystem for service-led organisations continues to evolve across 4 major domains: Cybersecurity, Unified Communications, Connectivity and IoT. The primary goal of Northbridge Systems is to empower individuals in Government, Enterprise and Health Care sectors who may not have the necessary technical expertise or resources to leverage the power of innovation and reap its benefits.
