Protecting a Healthcare Client amidst a DDoS attack
SUCCESS STORY
Introduction
The client has a global presence comprising several affiliated institutions. They provide diverse healthcare services, using technologies to deliver their healthcare services across various regions.
Industry – Healthcare
Company Size – 20000+
The Challenge
- A leading healthcare company providing cardiac, clinical diagnosis, health checkups, surgery and critical care and emergency services faced a critical cybersecurity crisis.
- The organization was suddenly attacked by a large-scale Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) and a data breach attempt.
- With loopholes in cybersecurity measures, the organization was forced to shut down its network, resulting in the suspension of all online services.
- Patients were unable to process or complete transactions, leading to debited amounts but unsuccessful transactions. This situation left the healthcare provider in a vulnerable position, facing immense pressure to resume operations quickly without compromising data integrity or security.
Understanding client objectives and requirements
The client approached us with urgency, demanding an immediate resolution to restore their online services without further disruption. Their key objectives were:
- To stop the ongoing DDoS attack immediately.
- To prevent any data exfiltration or breach of sensitive patient information.
- To get their online services up and running again, minimizing downtime.
- To implement a strategic, long-term cybersecurity framework to safeguard against future threats.
Description of each module
Our Solution
Understanding the critical nature of the situation, we quickly mobilized our cybersecurity experts to assess the damage and evaluate the severity of the attacks. Our team worked in close collaboration with the client to understand their infrastructure, identify weak points, and devise a tailored action plan.
- Immediate DDoS Mitigation: The first step was to neutralize the DDoS attack. Using advanced mitigation techniques, we redirected traffic through scrubbing centers, filtering out malicious requests, and allowing legitimate traffic to flow. We also collaborated with cloud-based DDoS protection services to ensure continued defense against future attempts.
- Data Breach Containment and Forensics: Simultaneously, our security experts launched a comprehensive forensic investigation to understand the scope of the data breach attempt. We implemented real-time monitoring systems, tracked any potential breach vectors, and sealed off the compromised areas. Any suspicious access points were immediately blocked, preventing further exploitation.
- Network Restoration and Stabilization: With the DDoS attack under control and the data breach attempts halted, we focused on bringing the network back online. We worked alongside the client’s IT team to carefully restore critical services, ensuring that all security protocols were updated and that the network was fully patched to prevent reinfection. All compromised systems were isolated and tested to verify their integrity before they were reconnected to the main network.
- Enhanced Security Measures Implementation: In parallel with restoring services, we worked on fortifying the client’s cybersecurity posture. This included:
- Advanced firewall protection, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and intrusion prevention systems (IPS) to protect against future threats.
- Encrypting sensitive patient data to ensure confidentiality.
- Establishing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all internal and external access points.
- Conducting a full security audit and vulnerability assessment to identify areas for improvement.
- Continuous Monitoring and Incident Response: After bringing the network back online, we set up a 24/7 monitoring system, allowing our team to detect and respond to any emerging threats in real-time. We also provided the client with a comprehensive incident response plan to guide their future actions in the event of another attack.
Impact
- Within hours of our intervention, the healthcare giant was able to resume operations, restoring their online services for patients.
- Transactions were processed successfully, and sensitive patient data remained secure. The DDoS attack was neutralized, and no data was compromised during the breach attempt.
- The healthcare provider’s online services were restored with minimal downtime, and their cybersecurity infrastructure was significantly strengthened.
- The client was able to meet their operational objectives and quickly regain the trust of their patient base, all while ensuring the safety and privacy of sensitive healthcare data.
Key Insights
- Quick, decisive action is critical during a cybersecurity crisis.
- A layered approach: addressing DDoS mitigation, breach containment, and security fortification ensuring a comprehensive solution.
- Ongoing monitoring and incident response plans are essential for maintaining resilience against future attacks.
- Proactive cybersecurity measures can prevent devastating losses in the face of evolving cyber threats.
Our team’s rapid response and strategic intervention helped the healthcare giant not only survive the cyberattack but emerge stronger and more secure, ensuring continued care for their patients and peace of mind for their stakeholders.
