Page 56 - Cyber Defense eMagazine forJune 2021

Exploring the Synergies Between HIPAA Compliance and

Cybersecurity

Dr. Rachael Bailey, Healthcare IT Content Consultant at Atlantic.Net

As the world finds itself in the clutch of a global pandemic, it is evident that cybercriminals are using the
crisis to their advantage, coming up with novel ways to target businesses at an increasingly vulnerable
time for them. Indeed, the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and UK National
Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) issued a joint statement declaring an increase in COVID-19-related
malicious activity.

COVID-19 has brought many changes into our lives, such as social distancing and remote working, and
these are likely to be a part of our ‘new normal’ for some time. Businesses and individuals must learn to
adapt the way in which they work, in order to address the new cybersecurity risks that they face.

Cybercriminals Seek To Target the Healthcare Industry
With the value of patient data soaring and many healthcare organizations still using legacy systems,
businesses within the healthcare vertical have become a prime target for cyberattacks during the
pandemic. Compared with other industries, the healthcare sector falls behind in the deployment of new
technologies, instead of relying on outdated cybersecurity infrastructure that leaves them vulnerable to
malicious attacks.

Cyber Defense eMagazine – June 2021 Edition 56
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