Business associates were largely to blame for 2020 breaches

The number of healthcare data breaches in the US increased by 36% in the second half of 2020 compared to the first half, with 21.3 million records breached. The report highlights the vulnerability of healthcare organizations due to the disruptive effects of COVID-19, such as telemedicine scaling and rapid technology deployment. The majority of breaches were attributed to third-party business associates, emphasizing the need for strong cybersecurity measures across the industry. Cybercriminals have evolved to target these vulnerable points in healthcare networks. The report recommends various steps to enhance cybersecurity within healthcare organizations.