Has Your Medical Data Been Stolen Yet? 275 Million Records Leaked in 2024

The Numbers Speak for Themselves

According to The HIPAA Journal, the number of major breaches (500+ records) in the U.S. has stayed above 700 per year[1] for three consecutive years. But more alarming than the number of incidents is the volume of affected medical records (PHI):

This implies that up to 82%[2] of the U.S. population may have been affected—assuming unique records—meaning nearly every second or third person has had sensitive data (address, insurance number, test results, etc.) compromised.

Over 81% of all incidents were hacking-related. Medical organizations, store highly valuable PHI (Protected Health Information) that criminals can monetize. Even more concerning: 70% of breaches involve insider actors, including subcontractors—proving that cybersecurity requires a comprehensive approach, not just antivirus software.

Healthcare: A Prime Target

Since 2011, the healthcare sector has ranked #1 in breach costs, according to the IBM Security & Ponemon Institute Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024[3]. While the average damage fell slightly in 2024 to $9.77 million, it still far exceeds that of other industries—including finance.

Verizon’s DBIR 2024[4] highlights that personal data (names, contacts, insurance numbers) has become the top target for hackers, overtaking strictly medical data. Such information is easily sold on the dark web.

Hacking groups now operate like real businesses—assessing risks, costs, and potential profits. Their goal is simple: get to your data as cheaply and quickly as possible, then monetize it through blackmail, theft, or ransom.

Could Your Business Be the Next Target?

Let’s view your business through a hacker’s eyes. Organizations typically fall into one of three categories:

Category 1

Outdated systems, minimal patching, default antivirus/firewall, exposed RDP, no staff cybersecurity training.

• Breach cost: $500–$3,000
• Success rate: Very high

Category 2

Periodic updates, some training, basic network restrictions, standard AV/firewall, minimal security oversight.

• Breach cost: $2,000–$5,000
• Success rate: Still high

Category 3

Well-trained team, segmented network, critical systems isolated, MFA, SIEM/SOAR, DLP, advanced EDR/XDR, secure remote access, user training and certification.

• Breach cost: $5,000+, potentially much higher
• Success rate: Very low

Many businesses fall into Category 1 or 2—meaning they’re firmly in hackers’ crosshairs due to low breach cost and high success rate. If your database is large, you’re already a target. The question isn’t if, but when and how successful an attack will be.

Why and How Hackers Attack

Common Goals

• Ransomware/DDoS: Paralyze operations, demand ransom. Common in healthcare (see Verizon DBIR 2023–2024).
• Data Theft: Extract patient databases over time. Contacts and insurance numbers are easily resold.

Common Tactics

• Phishing/Social Engineering: Human error causes 82% of breaches, according to (ISC)².
• Supply Chain Attacks: Hackers target software vendors, IT, or billing services. Mandiant reports a rise to 25–27% in healthcare.
• Compromised Credentials: Privileged access is sold on dark web; prices rose 15–20% in 2024.
• IoT Devices: Often poorly secured yet connected to the internet—an easy entry point. These are commonly used in specific industries, such as medical laboratories..

Building a Category 3 System? Or Is There Another Way?

You might be considering building a Category 3 defense. But once you calculate the cost of SIEM, EDR/XDR, DLP, MFA, updates, and 24/7 trained staff—you’ll realize it’s a heavy lift for a single organization.

Even if you’re ready to take that on, you may still face compatibility issues. Many healthcare systems (like LIS) are outdated and don’t integrate well with modern cybersecurity solutions.

What Can You Do?

To reduce risk and protect sensitive data, consider the following—not exhaustive—steps:

1. Choose Solutions with Built-In Security
   Opt for platforms that come with out-of-the-box protection: cloud deployment, MFA, SIEM, 24/7 monitoring, encryption, and backups.
2. Control Subcontractor Risks
   Ensure contracts include strict security requirements. Conduct regular audits and require their staff to be trained to your standards.
3. Demand Full Cloud Support
   Cloud providers must deliver more than just infrastructure—they need dedicated security teams for threat monitoring and updates.
4. Select a Competent Vendor
   Choose partners with proven HIPAA/HITECH experience. A good vendor supports both technical security and internal process improvements.
5. Train Your Team Continuously
   People are the weakest link. Run training, simulate attacks, and deploy tools that reduce human error—like MFA, screenshot blocking, and controlled PHI access.

These measures help organizations stay focused on their core mission while reducing the financial and reputational impact of potential attacks.

[1] https://www.hipaajournal.com/security-breaches-in-healthcare/

[2] https://www.hipaajournal.com/healthcare-data-breach-statistics

[3] https://table.media/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/30132828/Cost-of-a-Data-Breach-Report-2024.pdf

[4] https://www.verizon.com/business/resources/reports/2024-dbir-data-breach-investigations-report.pdf