UnitedHealth has confirmed that the February 2024 ransomware attack on its subsidiary, Change Healthcare, impacted around 190 million Americans—nearly double the original estimate.
The breach, which was attributed to the ALPHV ransomware gang, is the largest medical data breach in U.S. history, causing massive healthcare disruptions. Hackers accessed massive amounts of sensitive information, including names, Social Security numbers, medical diagnoses, treatment plans, and financial details. Some stolen data was published online, and Change Healthcare reportedly paid two ransoms to prevent further leaks.
The attack exploited a stolen credential without multi-factor authentication, allowing hackers to infiltrate the system. UnitedHealth stated that while no misuse of data has been identified so far, the full impact remains under investigation.
Why This Matters to Small Businesses
This breach shows how devastating a single cyberattack can be. While this incident targeted a healthcare giant, smaller businesses are far from immune. Hackers often see smaller organizations as easier targets due to weaker defenses. A similar breach could result in financial loss, legal consequences, and irreversible damage to your reputation.
How to Protect Your Business
Here are steps businesses can take to avoid becoming the next victim:
- Strengthen Access Controls: Use multi-factor authentication for all accounts.
- Monitor for Vulnerabilities: Conduct regular system scans to identify and address weaknesses.
- Encrypt Sensitive Data: Ensure all personal and financial data is encrypted.
- Train Employees: Educate staff on recognizing phishing attempts and using strong passwords.
How Gr8 Eagle Can Help
Gr8 Eagle specializes in providing customized, month-to-month cybersecurity solutions to protect businesses of all sizes. Here’s how we can help:
- Vulnerability Management: Proactively identify and patch weaknesses in your systems before hackers can exploit them.
- Penetration Testing: Simulate real-world attacks to uncover gaps in your defenses.
- Employee Training: Equip your team with the knowledge to spot phishing attempts and suspicious activity.
- Compliance Support: Ensure your business meets data security standards like HIPAA, PCI, and ISO27001.
- Incident Response Planning: Be prepared with a rapid response strategy to minimize damage in the event of a breach.
Cyber threats are growing, but with Gr8 Eagle, your business doesn’t have to face them alone. Contact us today to secure your systems and protect your reputation.
Article courtesy of Tech Crunch. Read more on our services here.