AI in Healthcare Cybersecurity: A Step Towards Robust Data Protection

According to a report, 725 data breaches were reported to OCR and more than 133 million records were exposed or impermissibly disclosed. Data breaches is one of the common healthcare cybersecurity attacks. Phishing, ransomware, and malpractice claims follow suit. 

Some of the repercussions of data breaches include financial fraud, identity theft, and harm to patient’s life. So, to avoid this, regulatory bodies have implemented regulations such as HIPAA, FDA, HITRUST, FHIR, and more. These rules protect the privacy and security of healthcare data or ePHI.

Certain technologies such as data encryption methods,, AI, AWS are used to prevent cyberattacks, but the same is true that tech is maliciously used for data breaches.

We will be talking about one such technology that is rapidly rising in the market – Artificial Intelligence and its role in healthcare cybersecurity.

Examples of Healthcare Cyberattacks

1. HCA Healthcare

In July 2023, a Tennessee hospital and clinic operator was breached by threat actors who obtained and removed data from an external storage location containing formatted emails and calendar reminders for patients.

Information such as names, email addresses, birth dates, and other personal data for over 11 million patients in 20 states was stolen. After the breach was made public, numerous class action lawsuits were initiated.

2. Shields Healthcare Group

In May 2022, a medical imaging service provider in Massachusetts announced that in March, a cybercriminal had unlawfully accessed some of its IT systems.

In total, more than two million individuals had their Personal Health Information (PHI) compromised, which included names, addresses, Social Security numbers, insurance details, and medical history.

3. Advocate Aurora Health

Advocate Aurora Health is among the biggest healthcare providers in the Midwest, having 26 hospitals in Wisconsin and Illinois. Their misuse of a popular website tracking tool resulted in the data of three million patients being leaked in July 2022.

Meta Pixel employs JavaScript to monitor website visitors, providing essential data on their engagement, duration of stay, and exit points. Pixels play a vital role in enhancing the user-friendliness of websites for web designers and organizations.

Nevertheless, in the scenario involving Advocate Aurora Health, the utilization of Meta Pixel on patient portals led to the exposure of PHI when patients input sensitive details, particularly if they were simultaneously logged into Facebook or Google.     

Role of AI in Healthcare Cybersecurity

1. Provide Data on Cyber Threats

Analyzing large volumes of data to detect and forecast cyber threats is a critical function of AI in healthcare cybersecurity. AI systems are capable of analyzing logs, network traffic, and various data sources to identify abnormal patterns and potential security breaches in real-time. 

AI subsets called machine learning algorithms are taught on huge datasets to identify familiar dangers and adjust to fresh, upcoming threats. AI helps organizations defend against cyber threats by giving information about weaknesses and ways attackers can get in, which helps to react quicker and improve overall security. This technology assists in reducing risks and safeguarding confidential data.

2. Threat Detection and Prevention

AI plays a significant role in healthcare cybersecurity by not only detecting threats but also excelling at prevention. Conventional security methods frequently depend on familiar attack patterns, exposing organizations to new or changing threats. AI, conversely, is flexible and able to detect irregularities that do not align with known attack patterns.

Using machine learning, AI models become skilled at detecting questionable activities in a healthcare system. AI systems can detect anomalies such as sudden changes in employee access patterns or unusual data access volumes at odd hours, triggering an investigation. This quick detection enables security teams to react promptly, reducing possible harm.

Additionally, AI has the ability to link information from various sources, offering a complete perspective of possible dangers. This comprehensive method allows for timely identification of complex, multi-phased attacks that could otherwise remain undetected until it is too late.

3. AI for Incorporating Security Measures

Here are key security measures where AI plays a crucial role:

1. Multi-Point Defence: The use of a Multi-Point Defense strategy requires institutions to develop a cybersecurity plan that integrates defensive AI, along with firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and advanced threat detection, in order to effectively identify and address security threats at different levels.
2. Data Encryption and Access: Utilizing strong encryption protocols is essential for safeguarding sensitive data and limiting access to only authorized individuals. It is important to put in place robust access control measures to avoid unauthorized access to systems, training models, infrastructure, and private patient records. AI-driven voice recognition can ensure authorized access, along with biometrics. 
3. Incident Response Plans: AI systems should play a crucial role in the incident response plans of all organizations to detect any potential risks posed by AI technologies and prevent disruptions and data breaches during cyberattacks on AI systems.

4. Assuring Compliance

In the healthcare sector, it is crucial to adhere to regulations and protect patient data privacy. Healthcare professionals must follow strict legal and ethical guidelines in order to safeguard the rights and trust of patients. Luckily, AI is essential in guiding healthcare organizations through the intricate realm of compliance and privacy.

AI-powered technology can monitor data access and usage in real-time, ensuring that only authorized individuals can access patient records. This assists healthcare institutions in complying with regulations such as HIPAA, which require stringent access control and data encryption for safeguarding patient data.

Additionally, AI can help with audits and reporting, making it easier to show compliance to regulatory agencies. Automating data access tracking with AI decreases the workload of compliance documentation, allowing resources to be allocated to other important responsibilities.

Maintaining patient confidentiality is just as important. AI systems have the capability to quickly identify and alert about any irregularities or possible security violations, enabling immediate action against security threats. This preventive method not only protects patient information but also maintains the confidence patients have in healthcare providers.

Leverage the benefits offers by AI in healthcare cybersecurity by incorporating it into your practice today. Arkenea offers AI services that caters to the needs of a healthcare organization. To know more connect with us today.