Social Engineering Attacks in Healthcare: A Call for Universal SSO

The healthcare sector, entrusted with some of the most sensitive personal data, has increasingly become a prime target for cybercriminals, particularly through social engineering tactics. These tactics, which manipulate human behavior to gain unauthorized access, pose a significant threat to the integrity and privacy of healthcare data.

The Growing Threat of Social Engineering

Social engineering attacks in healthcare are not just prevalent; they are also becoming more sophisticated. Recent incidents highlight a troubling trend where attackers impersonate healthcare staff to manipulate IT help desks into compromising security protocols. For example, attackers have been known to call IT support, posing as employees from financial departments, to request password resets or access to specific systems. They often provide convincing details, such as the last four digits of an employee's Social Security number or their corporate ID, likely obtained from previous data breaches or social media. With the advance of AI - these will only become more convincing and dangerous.

In addition to these direct impersonation tactics, attackers employ various methods to steal credentials more covertly. Phishing attacks trick individuals into revealing their passwords by posing as reputable entities through convincing emails or websites. Brute force attacks systematically guess password combinations, while credential stuffing uses previously stolen username-password pairs to gain access to multiple accounts. Malware, such as keyloggers, is installed on victims' devices to record keystrokes and steal login information directly. These methods exploit the digital ecosystem's vulnerabilities, making credential theft a significant threat.

These tactics not only lead to direct financial losses but also compromise valuable IP, and patient private information and trust, a critical component of healthcare services. The repercussions extend beyond immediate financial damage, potentially affecting healthcare outcomes if patient data is altered or misused.

The Role of SaaS, On-Premises, and Legacy Systems in Healthcare

The complexity of the IT environment in healthcare adds another layer of challenge. Healthcare organizations typically utilize a mix of software solutions that include:

SaaS Applications: On average, healthcare providers use around 87 SaaS applications across various departments. These applications are crucial for day-to-day operations, from patient management systems to billing

On-Premises Applications: Approximately 37.5% of healthcare organizations use on-premises solutions. These systems often handle highly sensitive data and require robust security measures to prevent unauthorized access.

Legacy Systems: Alarmingly, around 65% of healthcare providers continue to utilize legacy systems. These systems are particularly vulnerable as they may not be regularly updated or supported, making them easy targets for cybercriminals.

The reliance on a diverse array of applications, especially legacy systems, creates significant security gaps. Legacy systems, often running on outdated software, are susceptible to breaches, particularly when they lack the latest security patches.

The situation is even worse when considering the widespread use of SSO solutions. Current SSO technology often does not protect legacy or on-prem applications, and when it does, to extend SSO on these applications takes a long time and a lot of money. This effectively leaves healthcare providers unprotected.

UNIXi's Contribution to Enhanced Security

In this landscape, UNIXi offers a streamlined solution with its unique Universal Single Sign-On (USSO) system that covers 100% of applications, including SaaS, on-premises, and legacy systems, while requiring zero integration. This comprehensive coverage is vital for closing the security gaps that cybercriminals exploit in complex healthcare IT environments. UNIXi's patented technology also protects against credential theft, ensuring that even if attackers deceive an employee, they cannot gain access to sensitive systems or data.

Conclusion

As healthcare continues to navigate the challenges of digital transformation, the threat of social engineering looms large. However, with the right use of technology, such as that provided by UNIXi, healthcare organizations can fortify their defenses against these insidious attacks. Protecting the integrity of healthcare data is not just about safeguarding information; it's about preserving the trust and well-being of patients who depend on the healthcare system.