4 8 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 7
BIGGEST THREATS
3 Types of Cyberattacks
Here's a rundown of the 3
types of computer hacking
you're most likely to face.
• Data breach. Hackers will
be able to access your files,
computer and network — usu-
ally through a "phishing" scam
or a malicious link that you or
someone on your network
clicked. From there, they can
pull your patients' Social
Security numbers, family infor-
mation and medical history.
With a data breach, hackers
will actually take the informa-
tion and either use it them-
selves or — more commonly —
sell it online.
• Ransomware. This is one of
the more common ways surgi-
cal centers have been attacked
in recent years. With a ran-
somware attack, hackers will
infiltrate your system and
encrypt important information
so that it looks like indecipher-
able symbols — an act of "cyber
terror" designed to create
widespread panic. The hackers
will often then demand money
from a facility before releasing
the files. Increasingly, some
hackers have started shutting
down records systems with no
intention of bringing them back
online and no demands for
money.
• Denial-of-service. A DoS
attack is less common, espe-
cially for medical facilities. It's
an attack in which hackers will
shut down operations — usually
at a company or a bank — mak-
ing it impossible for legitimate
customers to use the compa-
ny's online services.
— Anna Merriman
