Given the rapid pace of technological improvements that have resulted in easy internet access and increased smartphone usage, the world has become a global village. In fact, according to World Population Review, India recorded 658 million internet users at the beginning of 2022. The internet has undoubtedly connected people more than ever before, but it has also made data increasingly accessible, making it more prone to threats and breaches. According to CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team), 14,02,809 and 6,74,021 cybersecurity events were observed in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
Moreover, significant industries like healthcare, automobile, education, and fintech, amongst others, are majorly suffering at the hands of cyber crimes, underscoring the necessity of a robust cyber security structure in India. According to Research and Markets, The Indian cyber security market is expected to increase at a CAGR of 8.05%, reaching a market value of $3543.37 million by the forecast period FY2023-FY2027. This data hints at the fact that industries have become more concerned about cyber crimes leading to larger investments towards data protection.
Healthcare: Challenges and future of cyber security
Challenges
The healthcare landscape has transformed dramatically, with considerable improvements in healthcare delivery supported by technological advancements. But at the same time, these innovations have also brought some cyber security challenges to light that are anticipated to increase as the future of health takes shape. The CyberPeace Foundation (CPF) report estimated that 1.9 million cyberattacks targeted the Indian healthcare sector in 2022.
Especially with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, cyberattacks on the healthcare sector have peaked. Considering the internet’s easy access, it has become simple for hackers to acquire patient data and misuse it. Additionally, phishing and ransomware attacks have grown, which has again made it simple to access personal data. As a result, patient confidentiality is in danger of being misused or falling into the wrong hands.
Apart from this, interoperability is another major challenge that makes healthcare institutions prey to cyber crimes. This, as a result, has necessitated the need to close the gaps in data sharing across various digital platforms. In addition, the presence of legacy systems in these institutions is creating a favourable environment for hackers. According to a report by IBM Security, the typical healthcare breach currently costs $10.1 million, with losses mostly linked to system shutdowns. To prevent these attacks and improve healthcare outcomes, it is now essential for healthcare institutions to switch outdated systems with modern ones.
Future
There is no escaping the fact that technology is at the forefront of developments in the healthcare sector. And as we advance, the industry will become more equipped with new-age technologies, creating room for increasing cyber crimes. Hence, it has become vital for healthcare institutions to invest primarily in cyber security. According to Statista, with greater digital adoption leading to increased online threats, the cybersecurity market is expected to exceed $15 billion by 2023.
Switching to new-age systems that can detect attacks at an early stage has become need of the hour. Additionally, it has become absolutely essential to aim for enhanced data protection by bridging the gaps in data shared across numerous digital platforms, along with backup mechanisms and data recovery systems. Furthermore, investing in strong cyber security models to protect patients’ private information has become paramount for healthcare organizations to improve healthcare delivery.
Auto: Challenges and future of cyber security
Challenges
The modern vehicles today are equipped with new-age software and interconnected to external infrastructure, portable devices, and internet networks. This cutting-edge connectivity has undeniably increased the operational effectiveness of vehicles but, at the same time, has also offered hackers the opportunity to exploit software flaws and gain access to private consumer data.
Because of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other similar technologies, brute force and phishing assaults are getting more sophisticated. Embedded systems and specialized software are especially vulnerable to these attacks and allow cybercriminals to gain access to automotive systems. In addition, ransomware attacks have also emerged, which have enabled hackers to obtain entire control over the system, posing a threat to the automotive industry. Thus, auto manufacturers looking forward to avoiding these attacks should prioritize cyber security.
Future
Given the evolving nature of technology, more cyber crimes are bound to come to the fore, posing threats to the automotive industry. Thus, it has become necessary for manufacturers to invest in cyber security to overcome these challenges. Furthermore, updating software, encrypting data, and using multi-factor authentication will make the industry more immune to cyber crimes. In fact, the International Standardization Organization (ISO) and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) released their standard that outlines cyber security guidelines and specifications for automobiles. Hence, as the automotive sector shifts to producing more environmentally friendly vehicles, including electric and autonomous ones, it must also ensure that it manages any new dangers associated with increasing connectivity by heavily investing in cyber security.
Cyber security: The need of the hour
The advent of technological advancements has interfered with possibly every industry and has altered their operations for good. Especially for the healthcare and automotive industry, technology is at the center of their operations. But at the same time, it has also brought certain loopholes to light, making it easy for hackers to invade and plan attacks. To close those shortcomings, it has become critical for both industries to invest in comprehensive cybersecurity models to improve customer service.
