Protecting Hospitals Against Cyberattacks: How TetherView's VDI Environment Can Help

Hospitals and healthcare organizations are increasingly becoming targets of cyberattacks. These attacks can compromise patient data, disrupt patient care, and result in financial losses for the organization. With the rise of remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the risk of cyberattacks on hospitals has only increased. In order to protect against cyberattacks, hospitals must implement effective cybersecurity measures that are capable of evolving quickly. One such measure is TetherView's Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) system.

TetherView's VDI environment provides secure remote access to patient data and applications, allowing healthcare teams to work from home or on the go without compromising security. Multi-factor authentication and Single Sign-On are  used to ensure that only authorized users can access patient data and applications. Patient data is encrypted both at rest and in transit, ensuring that it remains secure at all times. The system is designed to meet regulatory requirements, such as HIPAA and HITECH, ensuring that healthcare organizations remain compliant with relevant regulations. Finally, the system reduces IT costs by centralizing the management and maintenance of applications and data.

In addition to implementing TetherView's VDI system, healthcare organizations can take several other steps to protect against cyberattacks:

• Regular cybersecurity training for employees to ensure that they are aware of the latest threats and best practices.
• Regular data backups to help healthcare organizations quickly recover from a cyberattack and minimize the impact on patient care.
• Assessment of the cybersecurity practices of third-party vendors that have access to patient data.
• Regular cybersecurity assessments to identify vulnerabilities and take steps to address them.
• A risk-based approach to cybersecurity, focusing resources on protecting the most sensitive patient data and applications.

Hospitals Become Prime Targets for Cybercriminals in Latest Attacks

Unfortunately, there have been several high-profile cyberattacks on hospitals in recent years. Here are some examples of hospitals impacted within the last few years:

In 2020, Universal Health Services, one of the largest healthcare providers in the US, suffered a ransomware attack that affected 250 of its facilities across the country. The attack disrupted patient care and led to financial losses for the organization.

In 2021, Scripps Health, a healthcare provider in Southern California, suffered a cyberattack that affected its computer systems and forced it to divert patients to other facilities. The attack also caused delays in patient care and disrupted operations across the organization.

In 2021, the Irish Health Service Executive suffered a major ransomware attack that forced hospitals to cancel appointments, shut down IT systems, and resort to manual processes. The attackers demanded a $20 million ransom to unlock the encrypted data.

In 2020, Universal Health Services (UHS), one of the largest healthcare providers in the US, suffered a cyberattack that caused its IT systems to shut down. The attack affected more than 400 UHS facilities and caused delays and disruptions in patient care.

In 2017, WannaCry ransomware infected hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide, including those in hospitals in the UK. The attack disrupted surgeries and appointments, forcing hospitals to turn away patients and cancel procedures.

In 2016, Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center paid a $17,000 ransom in Bitcoin to regain access to its systems after falling victim to a ransomware attack. The hospital was forced to revert to paper-based systems and divert patients to other facilities during the attack.

In 2015, Anthem, one of the largest health insurance providers in the US, suffered a data breach that exposed the personal information of nearly 80 million customers. The attack was later attributed to a foreign state-sponsored group.

By implementing effective cybersecurity measures, healthcare organizations can ensure that patient data remains secure, and that patient care is not disrupted by a cyberattack. The TetherView VDI system is just one of many tools that healthcare organizations can use to protect against cyberattacks. With the increasing threat of cyberattacks on hospitals, it is more important than ever to prioritize cybersecurity and take proactive steps to protect patient data and ensure the continuity of patient care.

Don't Wait Until It's Too Late: Secure Your Hospital's Future with TetherView

With cyberattacks on hospitals becoming more frequent and sophisticated, protecting patient privacy and care has never been more important. By implementing strong cybersecurity measures like TetherView's VDI technology, hospitals can minimize their risk of attack and safeguard critical patient data.

Don't let your hospital become the next victim of a cyberattack – act today to protect your patients and your business. Schedule a demo with TetherView to learn more about how our cloud-based solutions can help you stay ahead of the curve and focus on delivering top-quality patient care. Our team of experts is standing by to answer your questions and help you find the right solution for your needs.