Healthcare organizations are vulnerable to data breaches due to insecure file-sharing practices. Metomic reports that 25% of publicly shared files and 68% of private files shared externally contain Personal Identifiable Information (PII). 77% of private files shared internally hold sensitive data. Failing to update or remove access permissions leaves organizations exposed to breaches. The trend of data breaches in the healthcare industry, under strict regulations like HIPAA and GDPR, underscores the urgent need for robust data security measures.
The financial impact of these breaches is significant. The recent ransomware attack on Change Healthcare is projected to cost between $1.35 billion and $1.6 billion. Experts emphasize the need for enhanced Data Loss Prevention (DLP) tools and other security resources. These tools can prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information, including PII and PCI data. Healthcare security leaders must prioritize implementing these solutions to protect patient privacy and financial information from rising cyber threats.