Blockchain has been around for a while, and its primary purpose was to facilitate cryptocurrency transactions. But as the need for decentralization increased in real-life networks, adoption expanded to industries like real estate, entertainment and healthcare.
The Ethereum blockchain is a staple regarding efficient tools because it offers a vast ecosystem of Dapps, DAOs and NFTs. At the same time, the smart contract feature enhances transactions through fast and low-cost execution through the current Ethereum price, a figure that interested parties watch closely on platforms like Binance and other online crypto exchanges and trackers.
Unfortunately, leveraging these technologies has the disadvantage of being targeted by hackers. Centralized systems are often breached, but decentralized networks that use smart contracts are prone to timestamp dependence, logic error and ERC20 API violation.
Regardless, blockchain and smart contracts are significantly beneficial for real-world use cases. At least, this is what these researchers proved.
This blockchain system revolutionizes medicine
Researchers from two US universities collaborated to create a blockchain network that blends several technologies, such as IoT (internet-of-things) and air quality sensors, to protect systems against cyberattacks and enhance better decision-making.
The project was developed to avoid attacks like the “WannaCry” one from 2017 when thousands of patients’ files were corrupted across the National Health Services. The ransomware attacks targeted Microsoft Windows operating systems, and the group demanded Bitcoin payments.
While security is the main goal of this project, researchers also aim to incentivize patients through tokens, enhance decentralization and encrypt files.
Recognizing the limits
Although the project is an ambitious one and its potential is significant, the teams who developed it discussed encountering several issues in delivering it. For instance, the healthcare industry is somewhat still behind technology, meaning it still relies on telemedicine and interconnected devices. These can easily be manipulated to gather patient data and can disrupt healthcare services.
Some frequent attacks include crypto-malware, ransomware and data breaches, but the use of smart contracts can prevent them by strengthening security and handling patient data more efficiently.
Microsoft to prevent cyberattacks
Following numerous breaches and cyberattacks, Microsoft has finally stepped into the game by collaborating with OpenAI to fight malicious attacks. Some of the biggest hacking groups have been lately closely monitored due to their interest in AI large language models (LLMS) that work through datasets that can be transformed into human-like sounds.
OpenAI stated that some of their attacks were disrupted and identified in time. Still, the threat is rising since the groups have rough approaches, such as phishing campaigns and leveraging radar technologies. Unfortunately, many similar attacks have been recorded since the rise of AI since hackers found ways to manipulate chatbots, leading to dangerous deepfakes and scams.
Why is healthcare the main target for cyberattacks?
The healthcare industry seems always to be the hackers’ target, but since managers might not understand the value of their patients’ data, attacks continue. The truth is that private patient information is worth a lot, and companies that fail to safeguard it can be affected significantly.
At the same time, most medical devices are an easy entry point for hackers because they were made for gathering data, and safety was not in mind, so they’re easy targets for accessing more important information points.
Unfortunately, risks also happen due to a lack of proper training for staff. Recognizing and mitigating these risks isn’t possible when medical professionals aren’t supported in learning or offered more friendly user interface devices. Considering they’re also overwhelmed most of the time with keeping up with the amount of work and devices to handle, maintaining security is challenging.
Healthcare needs to be changed through a security culture
Few company culture plans include security, mainly because it’s not considered necessary. However, establishing a security culture in healthcare is prominent in building safe ecosystems and protecting patients’ data. Debunking the ideology that a cyberattack can’t happen to them is the most difficult step because it’s been a long-term misconception.
Hence, handling it would be the first step in establishing a correct security culture. After that, education and training should be continuous and of great importance because this is the only way for the mindset to settle on cybersecurity.
Safeguarding systems and establishing the correct ideology must be encouraged mostly by management and leading sectors because they’re the only examples to be followed by employees in healthcare. Unfortunately, most of the time, leaders are less likely to invest in such experiments because this means more resources and assets that could go into another section of the company. That’s why more businesses should spread awareness of the lack of proper leadership regarding cybersecurity.
Finding the balance between paranoia and due diligence
In some cases, people get paranoid about cybersecurity and assume all their gadgets and systems are easy to hack. For instance, hardware-based attacks are easy to ignore due to their perfectly done instalment, so any device can be maliciously altered. And let’s not even mention software systems, one of the most exposed to risks.
Considering these aspects, many might not even trust the use of technology at the workplace, but this mindset is tricky given the world we live in. therefore, the ideal approach is due diligence. This means ensuring all equipment is purchased from reliable and known brands. But that’s not enough, so verifying the systems are updated frequently and packed with stable security systems is also necessary.
Preventing and mitigating cyberattacks at the workplace, especially in healthcare, when the level of stress is off the charts, is a real challenge. Still, it’s vital for keeping patients’ data secure. This not only strengthens their trust in the medical system but also allows healthcare companies to avoid being dragged into court for breaching their duty. Handling cybersecurity is more serious and important than it seems.
Bottom line
As cybersecurity risk increases in the healthcare sector, a few American researchers debuted a blockchain-based project that can safeguard patients’ data through smart contract functionality while monitoring data. The system also aims to reward patients through tokens for their loyalty and protection awareness. Moreover, the project strives to expand decentralization in the healthcare industry through IoT devices and other technologies to create a stable cybersecurity culture.
I’m Isabella Garcia, a WordPress developer and plugin expert. Helping others build powerful websites using WordPress tools and plugins is my specialty.
