CISO Insights: Cybercrime-as-a-Service: The New Threat and How You Can Stay Ahead of It
As the chief information security officer, I’m often asked why cybercrime seems to be growing at such an alarming pace. Every week, we see headlines about ransomware attacks, data breaches and new scams targeting both organizations and individuals. It’s a fair question — why is this happening, and what can we do about it?
One of the most significant drivers for this growth in cybercrime is cybercrime-as-a-service (CaaS). Hacking is no longer limited to skilled individuals. Today, cybercriminals can buy phishing kits, ransomware tools and stolen credentials online, cheaply and easily. Now, amateurs can launch sophisticated attacks with minimal technical knowledge. Some cybercriminals even operate like businesses, offering customer support, updates and guarantees. This has made cybercrime more efficient and profitable.
How To Protect Yourself and HM
While we work hard every day to secure our systems at the enterprise level, security truly starts
with each individual. Here’s what you can do to protect yourself, your family and HM:
• Be skeptical of emails, texts and calls. If you weren’t expecting it, don’t click it. Phishing remains the number one way attackers get in. Verify suspicious messages directly with the sender.
• Use strong, unique passwords and a password manager. Don’t reuse passwords across accounts. If one site is breached, attackers will try those same credentials elsewhere.
• Enable multifactor authentication (MFA) everywhere. MFA adds an extra layer of protection, even if your password is stolen.
• Keep devices and apps updated. Many attacks exploit known vulnerabilities. Updates aren’t just for new features — they’re critical security fixes.
• Report anything suspicious immediately. In cybersecurity, speed matters. If something feels off (e.g., an email, a pop-up, unusual account activity), contact our IT security team right away.
• Avoid using work devices for personal activities. Personal browsing and downloads can expose work systems to unnecessary risk.
Why It Matters
Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue — it’s a patient safety issue. A successful cyberattack could disrupt care delivery, delay surgeries or compromise sensitive health data. We all have a role in keeping our systems safe, so we can focus on what matters most, our patients. Thank you for staying vigilant and doing your part. Together, we can stay ahead of threats.
