Healthcare Cybersecurity Under Siege
Key Trends and Takeaways from Akamai’s 2024 Report
As healthcare continues its digital transformation, cybersecurity has become a critical issue. Akamai’s 2024 Cyberattack Healthcare Report highlights a dramatic rise in web application and API attacks, particularly against providers and payers. APIs, while enhancing data exchange and operational efficiency, have opened new vulnerabilities, with API sprawl increasing risk exposure. Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, particularly in the EMEA region, have also surged, disrupting care and threatening patient safety.
APIs at Risk: With healthcare’s move toward interoperability, APIs have become critical but also prone to exploitation. Attackers target payers, leveraging their high volume of clinical and financial data. Akamai’s research shows 41% of API attacks in healthcare targeted payer organizations from 2023 to 2024
- DDoS Attacks Surge: Healthcare has become a target for hacktivists and geopolitical threat actors, particularly in the EMEA region. Layer 7 DDoS attacks against pharmaceutical companies rose sharply, underscoring the growing scale and speed of cyber threats
- Web Application Vulnerabilities: Providers face increasing cyber risks as unpatched vulnerabilities in legacy systems are exploited by ransomware and other threats. Monthly web application and API attacks averaged 21 million globally during the reporting period
Mitigation Recommendations:
To safeguard their infrastructure, healthcare organizations need stronger visibility into APIs, robust DDoS protection, and rapid threat response systems. Ensuring compliance with security regulations, especially regarding API development, is essential.
Conclusion
As the healthcare industry grows increasingly reliant on digital technologies, the corresponding cybersecurity risks are escalating. Investing in comprehensive API security and proactive threat detection will be crucial for organizations seeking to protect both data integrity and patient safety.
Sources “Healthcare Under the Microscope: Attacks Focus on Applications and APIs,” Akamai, Volume 10, Issue 06, 20244.
