Up until now, healthcare cybersecurity has been focused on protecting patient data, ensuring HIPAA compliance, and, more recently, protecting systems from ransomware attacks. However, as healthcare technology advances, a new threat is emerging: the potential for hackers to attack smart medical devices such as insulin pumps and pacemakers. If IoT security is not taken seriously, innovation will be stunted and, in the case of healthcare, lives will be lost.

What is the Internet of Things?

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the growing number of “smart,” internet-connected devices that are infiltrating every part of our lives, such as fitness wearables, smart TVs, connected cars, smart thermostats, and even smart buildings. Business Insider estimates that over the next five years, $6 trillion will be spent developing IoT technology, and by 2020, 24 billion IoT devices will be in use.

The healthcare industry, which has historically been slow to implement new IT technology, has enthusiastically embraced IoT devices, which can be wearable (such as a fitness monitor) or implantable (such as an insulin pump). Allied Market Research predicts that the world IoT healthcare market will reach $136.8 billion by 2021, more than doubling its $60.4 billion value in 2014.

Despite this rapid growth, IoT security is severely lacking. IoT devices may be smart, but they have far weaker security controls than regular computers. IoT passwords are often hard-coded and freely available online, and some devices are very difficult to patch or update. There are a myriad of device manufacturers, with more entering the market every day – but no common security controls or best practices, and no procedures to track devices as they move through the supply chain from the manufacturer to the end user. This results in IoT devices having numerous vulnerabilities that are just waiting to be exploited.

IoT security vulnerabilities aren’t purely hypothetical. Recently, cybersecurity experts demonstrated how Nest’s smart thermostat and Ring’s smart doorbell could be breached and turned into entry points into a home network. (Ring’s manufacturer has since issued a firmware update to address the vulnerability.) While there have been no reported attacks involving either device, logically, it’s only a matter of time before an IoT device is targeted.

And if hackers can get into thermostats and home security devices, why couldn’t they breach a pacemaker or an insulin pump? Especially since someone has already done it.

Healthcare IoT Security: The Next Ransomware Threat

As we’ve reported in previous blogs, the healthcare industry has suffered from a number of major ransomware attacks in the past few months, beginning in February, when Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital, after being locked out of their system for a week, paid hackers the equivalent of $17,000.00 in Bitcoin to get back in. Some security experts feel that by caving in and paying up, the hospital inadvertently proved to hackers that using ransomware to attack healthcare facilities means fast money. If a hospital will part with large sums of money to get back into its computer system, how much would a patient be willing to pay to keep a life-sustaining medical device working?

Again, such a scenario is not hypothetical. TechTarget reports that two patients in a hospital in Austria figured out how to hack into their own medication infusion pumps because they felt their pain was not being managed properly. Frighteningly, to get in, the patients simply went online, looked up the hard-coded passwords for their pumps, then used them to log in and adjust their doses. The patients ended up overdosing and suffering respiratory problems.

If a layperson with no computer science training can manage to figure out how to hack into an IoT medical device, imagine what a money-motivated hacker with advanced technical skills could accomplish. A hacker could access a pacemaker or an insulin pump, begin draining the battery, and refuse to stop until the victim pays a ransom. The only obstacle would be determining how to deliver the ransom demand to the victim, but with reams of personal information easily available online, it would not be difficult for a hacker to obtain a victim’s mobile phone number or email address and use these to deliver the ransom demand.

What Can Healthcare Providers Do to Protect Patients?

The recent ransomware attacks on medical facilities have proven that hackers have no regard for human life and are fully willing to put fragile patients at risk in their quest to make a quick buck. The healthcare industry needs to take IoT security every bit as seriously as other forms of cybersecurity, and industry leaders must put pressure on IoT device manufacturers to establish security controls and best practices, such as eliminating hard-coded passwords and ensuring that IoT devices are as easy to patch and update as computers and mobile phones.

Healthcare facilities can take proactive security measures right now by developing a robust information security policy to include security awareness among all healthcare personnel and, from a technical perspective, continuous monitoring of systems so that baseline user patterns can be determined and deviations that may indicate possible attacks can be detected.

In addition to establishing an internal culture of security awareness, implementing a solid security plan, and monitoring systems for suspicious activity, it’s a good idea for healthcare facilities to enlist the services of a professional cybersecurity firm such as Lazarus Alliance. The cybersecurity experts at Lazarus Alliance have deep knowledge of the cybersecurity field, are continually monitoring the latest information security threats, and are committed to protecting your healthcare organization from security breaches. We offer full-service risk assessment services and Continuum GRC software to protect hospitals and other healthcare organizations from data breaches and ransomware attacks.

Lazarus Alliance is proactive cybersecurity®. Call 1-888-896-7580 to discuss your organization’s cybersecurity needs and find out how we can help your organization prevent ransomware attacks and data breaches.

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In a previous blog, we discussed the recent epidemic of ransomware attacks on U.S. healthcare organizations and the importance of the industry taking this very serious cybersecurity threat – and healthcare cybersecurity in general – seriously. The good news is that although a ransomware attack can bring a healthcare facility to its knees, ransomware attacks can be prevented by taking precautionary measures.

Following are five tips for healthcare organizations to protect themselves against ransomware and other healthcare cybersecurity attacks.

1. Build a Culture of Healthcare Cybersecurity Awareness in Your Organization

Ransomware usually doesn’t make its way onto a network through an automated attack but through simple social engineering techniques, such as employees clicking on phishing emails or inadvertently installing malware. Many facilities simply do not take healthcare cybersecurity seriously. Unlike many other industries, healthcare was very slow to go digital, and as a result, many healthcare employees look at information technology as more of a hindrance than a benefit. They may also feel that information security is “the IT department’s job,” and that their focus should be solely on treating patients. Employees must be taught that preventing cyber attacks is every bit as important as preventing infections and biohazard exposure incidents, and that cybersecurity is everyone’s “job,” regardless of their position within the organization.

Among the ways to change your employees’ attitude and instill a culture of healthcare cybersecurity awareness:

• Include information security in your organization’s core values, right next to patient care.
• Provide comprehensive security training at regular intervals. Having new hires watch one “training video” isn’t enough.
• Ensure that all supervisors model information security best practices and remind employees that everyone is responsible for preventing cyber attacks.

2. Secure Mobile Devices

Due to the advent of electronic health records (EHRs), mobile devices are becoming very popular in healthcare facilities. However, because of their portability, these devices are subject to loss or theft. They are also susceptible to electromagnetic interference, which can corrupt the data stored on them.

Best practices for mobile device use in a healthcare setting include:

• Ensure that all mobile devices used within the facility are equipped with multi-factor authentication and access controls, including strong passwords that are changed regularly.
• Avoid storing electronic health information on mobile devices. In cases where data must be stored on them, the data should be encrypted.
• Mobile devices should be physically tracked. They should not be permitted to leave the facility except under specific circumstances outlined in your organization’s policy.
• Patients and other visitors to your facility should never be allowed to access your organization’s secure network.

3. Back Up Your Data and Your System

This step may seem obvious, but many organizations (healthcare and otherwise) do not regularly conduct secure backups of their data. In addition to backing up data, organizations should also create a system and configuration backup, known in the IT industry as a “gold image.” Regular backups are essential because, should a facility fall victim to a ransomware attack, it can restore its data and systems instead of paying the ransom.

4. Control Physical Access to Your Data and Network

In addition to securing your digital data and files, make sure you also secure your organization’s physical devices and storage media (such as flash drives, CD’s, and portable hard drives) through such measures as:

• Limiting physical access to server rooms and all areas where computers are used. Employees and visitors who do not have a compelling need to access the server room shouldn’t be allowed to do so.
• Restricting the ability to remove devices from secure areas and from the facility in general.
• Maintaining a visitor log and installing security cameras.

5. Enlist the Services of a Professional Healthcare Cybersecurity Firm

In addition to internal security personnel, a culture of security awareness, and a solid security plan, it’s a good idea for facilities to also enlist the services of a professional cybersecurity firm such as Lazarus Alliance. The cybersecurity experts at Lazarus Alliance have deep knowledge of the cybersecurity field, are continually monitoring the latest threats and technologies, and are committed to protecting your healthcare organization from attacks. We offer full-service risk assessment services and Continuum GRC software to protect hospitals and other healthcare organizations from data breaches and ransomware attacks. Lazarus Alliance is proactive cybersecurity®. Call 1-888-896-7580 to discuss your organization’s cybersecurity needs and find out how we can help your organization prevent ransomware attacks and data breaches.

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What CISA’s Emergency Directive 26-01 Means for Everyone

In mid-October 2025, the CISA issued one of its most urgent orders yet: Emergency Directive 26-01. The directive calls on all Federal Civilian Executive Branch (FCEB) agencies to immediately mitigate vulnerabilities in devices from F5 Networks following a state-sponsored breach of F5’s systems and access to portions of BIG-IP source code and vulnerability data. The event...Continue reading→

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Shutdown Security And Cyber Vulnerability

When the federal government shuts down, the public sees closed monuments, unpaid workers, and halted programs. What they do not see is the silent surge of cyberattacks targeting agencies already operating on fumes. During the most recent shutdown, attacks against U.S. government systems spiked by nearly 85%.  Cybersecurity failures during government disruptions rarely start with...Continue reading→

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The world of cyber threats is rapidly evolving, and while we can see these changes more generally, it’s always crucial to understand them concretely. As the 2025 CrowdStrike Global Threat Report shows us, the landscape of our industry is changing.  We’re digging into this report to discuss a challenging trend: the move of hackers foregoing...Continue reading→

Maintaining Compliance Against Prompt Injection Attacks

The increasing adoption of AI by businesses introduces security risks that current cybersecurity frameworks are not prepared to address. A particularly complex emerging threat is prompt injection attacks. These attacks manipulate the integrity of large language models and other AI systems, potentially compromising security protocols and legal compliance. Organizations adopting AI must have a plan...Continue reading→

Are We Already Talking About CMMC 3.0?

The ink has barely dried on the CMMC final rule, and already the defense contracting community is buzzing with speculation about what comes next. Just when contractors thought they had a moment to catch their breath after years of regulatory limbo, whispers of CMMC 3.0 have begun circulating through the industry. But is this just...Continue reading→

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As the traditional network boundary dissolves and remote work becomes standard practice, identities are the major frontier for security. Whether we’re talking about human users, service accounts, or machine identities, these have emerged as both the primary access mechanism and the most targeted attack vector.  It has become imperative for providers to centralize identity management...Continue reading→

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A recent report revealed that “More than 209,000 cybersecurity job postings in the U.S. are unfilled, and postings are up 74% over the past five years.”

Lazarus Alliance Cybervisors are the front line for the global business community, bridging this critical cybersecurity job talent shortage.

Steve Morgan, a professional acquaintance who writes about cybersecurity for Forbes published One Million Cyber security Job Openings In 2016 and revealed some jaw-dropping statistics concerning the growing deficit in hiring qualified cybersecurity employees. To make matters worse, this chasm is exacerbated by the explosion of corporate breaches impacting and even decimating businesses in financials, education, business, government, and especially healthcare.

A recent report revealed that “More than 209,000 cybersecurity jobs in the U.S. are unfilled, and postings are up 74% over the past five years, according to a Peninsula Press (a project of the Stanford University Journalism Program) 2015 analysis of numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.” It is pretty clear that while there currently is not enough talent to go around, this is only getting exponentially worse.

Another report included “A report from Cisco puts the global figure at one million cybersecurity job openings. The demand for the (cybersecurity) workforce is expected to rise to 6 million (globally) by 2019, with a projected shortfall of 1.5 million” stated Michael Brown, CEO at Symantec, the world’s largest security software vendor.” This only turns up the anxiety level in companies that are scrambling to avoid being the “breach du jour”.

Compounding matters are that there is a significant increase in regulatory and compliance requirements across all industries. Every compliance framework out there went through major overhauls in 2015. In some cases as is the case for the SSAE 16, doubled in complexity. The situation just got more expensive and complex.

The only clear answers for businesses that want to remain viable in the global cyber threatscape come in the form of increased efficiencies and leveraged resources. Two of the best solutions that have emerged to address these challenges are:

Retain a Cybervisor®:

Retaining the help from dedicated and verifiable cybersecurity experts costs less than the expense of hiring just one (1) cybersecurity employee. And yes, that was a plural, not a singular expert. With professional Cybervisor services, companies get the expertise of many seasoned experts who collaborate and stand together to support their clients.

Automation is Your Friend:

It’s time to work smarter and not harder! By utilizing automated cybersecurity and GRC tools, we have discovered that employees are so much more efficient and effective. In fact utilizing a tool like ITAM consistently makes the cybersecurity, GRC assessments and reporting processes a whopping 180% more efficient on average. When time is money, ITAM is like getting three (3) dedicated cybersecurity employees for less than the cost of one (1).

Learn more about Lazarus Alliance and why Lazarus Alliance is Proactive Cybersecurity™.

What Is Autonomous Malware?

We’re reaching the end of 2025, and looking ahead to 2026, most experts are discussing the latest threats that will shape the year ahead. This year, we’re seeing a new, but not unexpected, shift to autonomous threats driven by state-sponsored actors and AI.  With that in mind, a new generation of threats, broadly known as...Continue reading→

What CISA’s Emergency Directive 26-01 Means for Everyone

In mid-October 2025, the CISA issued one of its most urgent orders yet: Emergency Directive 26-01. The directive calls on all Federal Civilian Executive Branch (FCEB) agencies to immediately mitigate vulnerabilities in devices from F5 Networks following a state-sponsored breach of F5’s systems and access to portions of BIG-IP source code and vulnerability data. The event...Continue reading→

Cybersecurity and Vetting AI-Powered Tools

A recent exploit involving a new AI-focused browser shone a light on a critical problem–namely, that browser security is a constant issue, and AI is just making that threat more pronounced. Attackers discovered a way to use that browser’s memory features to implant hidden instructions inside an AI assistant. Once stored, those instructions triggered unwanted...Continue reading→

Shutdown Security And Cyber Vulnerability

When the federal government shuts down, the public sees closed monuments, unpaid workers, and halted programs. What they do not see is the silent surge of cyberattacks targeting agencies already operating on fumes. During the most recent shutdown, attacks against U.S. government systems spiked by nearly 85%.  Cybersecurity failures during government disruptions rarely start with...Continue reading→

Identity and the Shift from Malware

The world of cyber threats is rapidly evolving, and while we can see these changes more generally, it’s always crucial to understand them concretely. As the 2025 CrowdStrike Global Threat Report shows us, the landscape of our industry is changing.  We’re digging into this report to discuss a challenging trend: the move of hackers foregoing...Continue reading→

Maintaining Compliance Against Prompt Injection Attacks

The increasing adoption of AI by businesses introduces security risks that current cybersecurity frameworks are not prepared to address. A particularly complex emerging threat is prompt injection attacks. These attacks manipulate the integrity of large language models and other AI systems, potentially compromising security protocols and legal compliance. Organizations adopting AI must have a plan...Continue reading→

Are We Already Talking About CMMC 3.0?

The ink has barely dried on the CMMC final rule, and already the defense contracting community is buzzing with speculation about what comes next. Just when contractors thought they had a moment to catch their breath after years of regulatory limbo, whispers of CMMC 3.0 have begun circulating through the industry. But is this just...Continue reading→

Centralizing Identity-Based Risk

As the traditional network boundary dissolves and remote work becomes standard practice, identities are the major frontier for security. Whether we’re talking about human users, service accounts, or machine identities, these have emerged as both the primary access mechanism and the most targeted attack vector.  It has become imperative for providers to centralize identity management...Continue reading→

Deviation and Significant Change Requests in FedRAMP: A Comprehensive Guide

FedRAMP provides a standardized approach to security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring for cloud products and services used by federal agencies. While the program’s rigorous baseline requirements ensure consistent security, the reality is that this consistency calls for a little flexibility.  This is where deviation requests and significant change requests come into play. These two...Continue reading→

The Costs of Compliance and Data Breaches

Data is possibly one of the most valuable assets any organization holds. Customer information, employee records, and proprietary business intelligence present challenges because the data flowing through modern enterprises represents both significant opportunities and serious risks.  Businesses face a challenging balance: investing in compliance measures to protect sensitive information while also preparing for the real...Continue reading→