Healthcare organizations are underprepared for quantum computing threats

Dive Brief: Healthcare organizations aren’t prepared for cybersecurity threats from quantum computing — an emerging technology that could break the encryption protecting patient data — according to a new report.

The researchers also analyzed more than 5,500 internet-facing healthcare systems like patient portals and certain application programming interfaces.

“The primary threat is not that hackers will suddenly use quantum computers to attack hospitals tomorrow,” said Daniel Trivellato, vice president of operational technology, healthcare and cyber risk solutions at Forescout.

Healthcare data breaches cost organizations about $6.64 million on average, according to IBM.

“For a CEO or CFO, the choice is not between spending money now or spending nothing until quantum computers arrive,” Trivellato said.