Get your CPA firm aquainted with new FTC rules. In the world of business IT support and cybersecurity, even the most beautiful pursuits, like plastic surgery, require a robust defense. Recent warnings from the FBI highlight a growing threat—cyber extortionists targeting plastic surgery offices. In this article, we’ll explore this concerning trend and the cybersecurity transformation your practice needs to protect your patients’ sensitive data. We’ll also shed light on a startling fact: many businesses lack standalone cyber insurance policies, leaving them vulnerable to substantial financial losses not to mention loss of reputation after working hard for years gathering customer testimonials.
The Plastic Surgery Paradox
Imagine a Hollywood heist, but it unfolds in the digital arena. Cybercriminal groups infiltrate plastic surgery networks, pilfering invaluable patient data, including medical records and sensitive before-and-after photos. Their motive? Extortion. They demand ransoms, threatening to expose stolen data if left unpaid.
One striking case involved Dr. Gary Motykie, M.D. in May 2023, facing a staggering $2.5 million ransom demand to prevent data exposure. Some patients were caught in the crossfire, forced to pay to safeguard their private information. This incident sent shockwaves through the medical community, highlighting the very real and devastating consequences of cyberattacks on plastic surgery practices.
The Cyber Strategies
How do these digital extortionists operate? Armed with technology that conceals their identities, they wield phishing emails as their primary weapon. These emails carry malware that infiltrates protected systems, allowing them to snatch valuable data, including those precious photos. But their tactics go further—these criminals scour social media for additional information, seamlessly weaving it into their extortion schemes.
What’s particularly insidious is their multifaceted approach—patients, surgeons, and staff are contacted through various channels, including phone calls, emails, SMS messages, and social media. Sensitive data isn’t kept in the shadows; it’s shared with everyone, from friends and family to colleagues and contacts. They even create public-facing websites to flaunt their ill-gotten gains.
The Cybersecurity Transformation
Much like the transformations your patients undergo, your practice needs a cybersecurity transformation to safeguard its beauty. Let’s transition from the threat to practical solutions. The FBI offers crucial advice to bolster your plastic surgery office against these attacks:
- Fortify Social Media Privacy: Review and tighten your privacy settings across social media platforms, making accounts private to limit visibility. Exercise caution when accepting friend requests and periodically audit your friends list.
- Prioritize Strong, Unique Passwords: Deploy strong, unique passwords, especially for email, financial, and social media accounts. Consider using a password manager for added security.
- Activate Multifactor Authentication (MFA): Enable MFA on all vital accounts to add an extra layer of protection.
- Regular Financial Vigilance: Maintain close scrutiny of your financial records, regularly checking for suspicious activities.
The High Costs of Cyber Attacks
Now, let’s shine a light on a critical aspect often overlooked—cyber insurance. Many businesses lack standalone cyber insurance policies, which can be a costly mistake. Even if they do, a $1,000,000 aggregate limit might not suffice.
Consider the potential expenses of 3,000 clients with exposed data:
- Incident and Crisis Services: Up to $300,000
- HIPAA Fines: Up to $300,000
- Forensics and Data Recovery: Up to $100,000
- Business Interruption: Up to $300,000
After these costs, there might be little left for:
- Defense against lawsuits
- Reputational harm mitigation
- Liability imposed by lawsuits
- Actual ransom payment if required
Furthermore, stolen health information can fetch as much as $1,000 per person on the dark web, emphasizing the value cybercriminals place on such data.
Much like cosmetic surgery patient transformations, your practice deserves a cybersecurity transformation to protect its reputation. As you enhance your patients’ aesthetic appeal, let’s work together to enhance your cybersecurity and IT systems. With the right precautions, support, and adequate cyber insurance, you can thwart cyber extortionists and continue making the world a more beautiful place—one procedure at a time.
