Top Cybersecurity News Stories From June 2024

Cyberattacks continue to increase – and the problem is only getting worse as AI technology advances.

AI is getting smarter, and cybercriminals are using it in more harmful ways. This increase in threats makes it more important than ever for all industries to build cyber resilience and proactively prepare for the next potential attack.  

This month's news features advice from cybersecurity experts about:

• How healthcare should be improving cybersecurity

• The role of AI in federal cybersecurity

• Awards for Illumio and our team

More healthcare cyberattacks

Healthcare is facing a rise in cyberattacks in 2024. More than 250 breaches have exposed the private health information of over 32 million people. Trevor Dearing, who directs critical infrastructure solutions at Illumio, talked about this worrying trend in his article for Healthcare IT Today, Exposed: Why Cybercriminals Target the Healthcare Industry and How to Thwart Them.

In March, the BlackCat ransomware group attacked Change Healthcare, impacting patients, doctors, clinics, and pharmacies across the United States. The group demanded and received a $22 million bitcoin ransom. The healthcare group also expects the total cost of recovering from the attack to reach up to $1.6 billion.

And just recently, NHS hospitals in London had to send ambulances to different places and cancel surgeries because of a cyberattack.

Dearing says that the COVID-19 pandemic sped up healthcare investment in new technologies like the cloud. While this tech has made things more efficient, it has also made healthcare security weaker.

For Dearing, these incidents reveal a booming cybercrime industry where healthcare is a prime target. “More than ever before, it’s critical that healthcare decision-makers and regulators prioritize cybersecurity in order to ensure patient safety and quality care.”

He suggests healthcare leaders and regulators should:

• Keep talking about security regularly throughout their organizations.

• Always stay ready for the next attack by thinking that a breach could happen.

• Strengthen their defenses against cyber threats with a Zero Trust strategy that focuses on their most important security weaknesses.

In the end, Dearing emphasized how important it is for healthcare systems to recover quickly from cyberattacks. This involves investing in technology like Zero Trust and breach containment that can minimize harm and ensure patient safety.

Federal cybersecurity plans should include new AI tech

AI is emerging as a top defense tool says Gary Barlet in his new Cyber Defense eMagazine article, The AI Arms Race Shaping Federal Cyber Resilience.

In the cyber industry, AI is a double-edged sword: Attackers can use it to quickly create and launch attacks, while defenders can use it to strengthen their defenses.

But according to Barlet, AI can give defenders a strategic advantage. "By analyzing vast data sets and identifying patterns indicative of potential threats in real-time, AI empowers agencies to proactively detect and neutralize cyber threats before they can inflict harm," he said. This proactive approach helps security teams see and stop threats better than traditional methods that only react after a threat happens.

To get the best from AI, Barlet suggests using its threat detection with Zero Trust Segmentation (ZTS) to manage breaches. ZTS, also known as microsegmentation, gives a clear view of how networks communicate, allowing security teams to set detailed rules that prevent breaches and ransomware. Platforms like Illumio, which use ZTS, are also building segmentation AI tools.

“As agencies grapple with the complexities of the cyber realm, harnessing AI as the ultimate defense tool empowers them to not only thwart adversaries, but also to maintain a strategic advantage in the ongoing cyber arms race,” Barlet said.

Illumio recognized by Ernst & Young, SC Awards Europe, and MeriTalk

Illumio and its team have earned important awards from Ernst & Young, SC Awards Europe, and MeriTalk. These awards show how Illumio's innovative approach to security is making a significant impact in the industry.

Illumio wins the Best Customer Service award at the SC Awards Europe

SC Awards Europe honored Illumio with the Best Customer Service award. They awards team chose Illumio because of the unique ways we support our customers:

• Illumio provides clear and helpful documentation for everyone, from top executives to regular users. Because of this, 64% of customers can solve their issues on their own, showing how good their support resources are.

• Illumio customers get 24/7 support available through the web, email, and phone. Their service teams respond to urgent cases within 30 minutes. Customers also get free self-paced training and can join community forums.

• Illumio also offers flexible support options, such as onsite help from resident engineers or technical account managers. This personalized support makes sure Illumio’s products work well in each customer's unique situation.

EY announces Illumio CEO as an Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2024 Bay Area Award Winner  

Illumio's CEO, Andrew Rubin, was honored as a winner in the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2024 Bay Area program.

Started in 1986, Entrepreneur Of The Year is a major awards program for entrepreneurs and leaders of fast-growing companies. This award celebrates business leaders, founders, and CEOs worldwide for their creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial drive. Winners were selected for their ability to create lasting value in their industries, their dedication to a purpose, and their significant impact on their employees, customers, and communities.

Read our Q&A with Andrew to learn more about what this award means to him.

Illumio’s Gary Barlet wins the Cyber Defender Award  

MeriTalk recognized Gary Barlet, federal field CTO at Illumio, with the Cyber Defender Award.  

This award honors leaders in both government and private sectors who are making big strides in cybersecurity for the U.S. federal government.

Want to learn more about Illumio Zero Trust Segmentation? Contact us today.