News of cyber attacks on companies is reported in the media all the time due to the large number of incidents of this type recorded around the world.

And the health sector is one of the most sought after for hacker attacks, according to data released in the Check Point report this year 2022.

This is due to the large amount of patients' personal data stored in healthcare organizations, including health plan providers.

Much of this data is information considered sensitive by General Data Protection Law as it is information relating to the health and lives of people who use such services.

In this post, we will explain what types of attacks exist, talk about the importance of keeping data protected and how you can ensure that these attacks do not happen on your operator. Read!

Know the types of cyber attacks that your operator may suffer

Most of the attacks that occur in companies involve a breach of recorded data in exchange for monetary values for their release.

And to access this data, hackers usually use the main means below:

• Breach via malware and ransomware in which there is a shutdown and invasion of servers and devices until payment is requested by hackers;
• Deceptive websites that have addresses similar to trusted websites, changing only acronyms or elements, such as .gov per .org, which make the differences almost imperceptible;
• Achievement of encryption blind spots in which hackers are able to identify and target them, violating the network and obtaining the data sought;
• Human errors caused by reasons such as weak passwords and the use of management systems that do not comply with the LGPD;
• Phishing attacks where emails from seemingly trustworthy sources are sent and used to obtain confidential information.

Ways to protect your healthcare provider from cyber attacks

If your operator suffers any type of these or other cyber attacks, in addition to internal losses in operations, sensitive patient data may also be leaked and the organization is fined in accordance with the LGPD.

We talk about the LGPD on health and its impacts here on our blog. Access and understand more!

To help you, we've put together some valuable tips that can increase your operator's security level.

1 – Have security systems that protect your operator

Implement systems in your operator that increase the organization's security and can guarantee a high level of protection of stored data.

Measures such as encryption, protection of mobile devices, antivirus software, maintenance and constant updating of operating systems and, also, management of endpoints are essential for your operator to be protected against external attacks.

2 – Promote a safety culture within the operator

On a daily basis, the organization's employees are primarily responsible for protecting the data generated by transactions.

Therefore, it is essential that all members understand their responsibilities in this regard and ensure the implementation of practices that promote the operator's cybersecurity.

To emphasize, promote training and education moments, ensure the execution of services in accordance with expected compliance and control access to protected information.

3 – Have a safe and functional data backup plan

In addition to protecting itself against attacks, it is important that the operator also has a contingency plan to recover data, in case of an invasion.

When planning data recovery, you need to have a clear path of what to do if an availability incident occurs.

Investing in this backup return, for example, is also necessary to guarantee the execution of a quality and safe service for its beneficiaries.

4 – Have a medical audit system that protects your data

Get to know SAUDI, a medical audit system which stores your data in complete security and helps manage your operator.

Our software automates the process of auditing medical service providers' accounts, enabling a clear view for both sides (operators x service providers) and a significant reduction in unnecessary costs.

Acting throughout the entire process, from authorization request for medical procedures from the network of providers, until their respective release for payment, SAUDI's objective is for companies in the area to become healthier and achieve better results through assertive management of their care costs.

Enter in contact us right now and find out how we can generate AMAZING results to your operator soon in the first 3 months of use!