THE healthcare industry has emerged as the most targeted sector for cyberattacks, according to the latest Notifiable Data Breaches report from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).
From Jan to Jun 2024, the OAIC received 527 data breach notifications, marking a 9% increase from the previous six months and the highest number since late 2020.
Of these breaches, 38% were due to cybersecurity incidents, highlighting vulnerabilities in an increasingly digital healthcare landscape in Australia.
One major breach affected over 10 million Australians, the largest recorded under the Notifiable Data Breach scheme, underscoring the critical need for better data protection measures in healthcare.
High-profile incidents, including the Monash Health breach via ZircoDATA and the sale of MediSecure's e-script data, have heightened public anxiety.
Research from AUCyber, as part of its 2024 Cyber Security Healthcare Report, revealed that 82% of Australians are concerned about the safety of their health records.
AUCyber CEO Peter Maloney emphasised the urgency of addressing these risks.
"Our research shows that 71% of Australians believe safeguarding healthcare data is primarily the responsibility of the federal government and healthcare institutions," said Maloney.
"The stakes are high, and it is crucial for these entities to act decisively to protect personal health information."
He added, "healthcare providers must bolster their defences and adopt comprehensive measures to safeguard against cyber threats".
"Protecting sensitive health information is not just a regulatory obligation but a crucial element of maintaining public trust."
The govt report's findings underscore the pressing need for stronger cybersecurity in the healthcare sector. JG
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