Understanding Cyber-Security Risk in a COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract: Cyber-security threats are likely to cost the world a large amount year by year, and the number of attacks has enlarged five-fold after COVID-19. Though there is extensive literature on the threats technological susceptibilities have on the healthcare industry, less research exists on how pandemics like COVID-19 are unscrupulous for cyber-criminals. This paper summarizes why and how cyber-attacks have been most challenging during COVID-19 and ways that healthcare industries can better defend patient data. The Office for Public Rights has loosened enforcement of the Health Insurance Compactness and Responsibility Act, which, although valuable in using new platforms like Zoom, and Google Meet, has also loosened physical and practical safeguards to cyber-attacks. This is especially difficult given that 80% of healthcare providers had already come upon data breaches. Companies must implement well-defined software upgrade procedures, should use secure networks like virtual local area networks, and conduct regular saturation tests of their systems. By thoughtful factors that make individuals, healthcare organizations, and employers more disposed to cyberattacks, we can better prepare for the next pandemic. Keyboards: cyber-security (10); pandemic (184); COVID-19 (933); SARS-CoV-2 (144); risk (3); privacy (90); hack (56); patient data (3)