U.S. Warns Healthcare Providers Against Hackers

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The FBI has issued a private industry notification (PIN), warning healthcare providers that their cybersecurity networks are not sufficiently secure compared to the networks of the financial and retail sectors, making healthcare systems even more vulnerable to attacks by hackers seeking Americans’ personal medical records and health insurance data. Healthcare data is as valuable on the black market than credit card numbers because the data contain information that can be used to access bank accounts or obtain prescription for controlled substances.

Insurance Journal notes that some criminals are combining stolen medical information with credit card data, making it easier to conduct identity theft. A package of stolen consumer data, known as “fullz” or “kitz” on underground exchanges, can sell for $1,000 or more.

iHLS – Israel Homeland Security

According to the PIN, “the healthcare industry is not as resilient to cyber intrusions compared to the financial and retail sectors, therefore the possibility of increased cyber intrusions is likely.” The notice did not mention Healthcare.gov, which has been criticized for its own security flaws, but it did urge recipients to report suspicious or criminal activity to local FBI bureaus or the agency’s 24/7 Cyber Watch.

According to HLS News Wire a series of reports from the private sector have urged healthcare systems to upgrade security measures, but security experts applaud the FBI for issuing its own warning.