The pandemic's impact on the healthcare workforce has raised insider threat risks, with active credentials of terminated employees exploited by cyber attackers. Remote work and increased technology reliance contribute to growing malicious and accidental threats. Healthcare IT teams must be vigilant against unauthorized access, privilege misuse, and data theft. Mitigation strategies include cybersecurity tools, monitoring solutions, and improved IT-HR collaboration. Access behavior monitoring and analytics bolster threat detection and response.
Growth of Insider Threats
Insider threat incidents have increased by 44% over the past two years, with costs per incident rising to $15.38 million. The shift to remote work and the rapid adoption of new technologies during the pandemic have heightened the risk of both malicious and accidental insider threats. Healthcare workers, under pressure, may unintentionally cause data breaches, while disgruntled employees may misuse their access to sensitive information. As remote work continues, healthcare organizations must adapt their security measures to address these evolving threats.
Identifying Insider Threat Tactics
Healthcare IT teams should be vigilant for tactics such as unauthorized access, misuse of privileges, and data theft. Red flags include unusual patterns of network activity, attempts to bypass security controls, and changes in employee behavior. Regular user access reviews and robust monitoring systems can help detect these threats early, allowing organizations to take proactive measures to protect sensitive data.
Collaboration Between IT and HR
Effective collaboration between IT and HR is essential for mitigating insider threats. Organizations should establish clear policies for revoking access when employees leave, automate user account management, and conduct regular access reviews. Providing HR with IT security training can enhance awareness of insider threat risks. A formal process for notifying IT of employee terminations can ensure immediate action is taken to revoke access, reducing the risk of potential threats.
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