Courtesy of Richard Hermann, TC Technologies, a legacy member of the Ken-Ton Chamber of Commerce
Posted on Jun 26 2024.
Caption for photo: In recent months, the alarming cybersecurity breach at Change Healthcare, the health care payment-processing company under the health care giant UnitedHealth Group, has thrown a spotlight on a chilling reality: cyberthreats can lurk undetected within our networks, ready to unleash chaos at a moment’s notice.
You may either have heard about it in the news or maybe were directly affected, but one of the companies under the UnitedHealth Group recently faced a cybersecurity breach that will cost nearly $1.6 billion to clean up by the time it’s all said and done.
What’s particularly alarming is that the hackers managed to infiltrate their system and remain undetected for days before launching their attack.
If you run a business, it’s a very real possibility that this could happen to you.
In today’s blog, we’ll share the details of the attack and what you need to do ASAP to secure your own systems.
Then things got even worse!
The personal health information and personal information of potentially millions of Americans was also stolen. The hackers set up an exit scam, demanding a second ransom to not release this information.
This breach required a temporary shutdown, disconnecting entire systems from the Internet, a massive overhaul of the IT infrastructure and significant financial losses estimated to potentially reach $1.6 billion by year’s end. Replacing laptops, rotating credentials and rebuilding the data center network were only a few of the actions the UnitedHealth Group had to take. More than financial, the cost was deeply human – impacting health care services and risking personal data.
While devastating, it’s a powerful reminder that threats can dwell in silence within our networks, waiting for an opportune moment to strike.
It is not enough to react; proactive measures are essential.
Ensuring systems are secured, implementing multifactor authentication, regularly updating and patching software and having a recovery plan in place in the event of an attack are steps that can no longer be overlooked and are basic requirements for doing business in today’s world.
Also, the idea that “We’re too small to be a target” is false. Just because you’re not big enough to make national news, doesn’t mean you’re too small to be attacked!
Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue; it’s a cornerstone of modern business strategy. It requires investment, training and a culture of security awareness throughout the organization.
The fallout from a breach reaches far beyond the immediately affected systems. It can erode customer trust, disrupt services and lead to severe financial and reputational damage, and your business, will be the one blamed.
As we consider the lessons from the Change Healthcare incident, it’s your duty to make cybersecurity a top priority. Investing in comprehensive cybersecurity measures isn’t just a precaution – it’s a fundamental responsibility to our customers, our stakeholders and our future.
Remember, in the realm of cyberthreats, what you can’t see can hurt you – and preparation is your most powerful defense.
Is YOUR organization secure? If you’re not sure, or just want a second opinion, our cybersecurity experts will provide you with a FREE Security Risk Assessment that will detail if and where you’re vulnerable and what to do about it. Schedule yours by clicking here or calling us at 716-743-9900.