Page 96 - Cyber Defense eMagazine June 2020 Edition
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When coupled with the heightened frequency of domestic violence due to close quarters in quarantine,
the threat of cyber attacks such as phishing rendering healthcare resources inaccessible poses immense
risk for abuse victims. In particular, phishing campaigns or Trojans that lead to ransomware threaten
women’s health facilities to the point where if a ransom is not paid on time and physicians are unable to
access patient records in time, victims with critical injuries could lose their lives.
This clear correlation between COVID-19 and ensuing rise of cybercrime has spurred the development
of many initiatives to combat the potential devastating effects of threat actors taking advantage of the
pandemic. Along with UN efforts and the volunteer-based COVID-19 CTI, which focus on healthcare in
general, Cysec Health emerges as a nonprofit that specifically connects women’s medical providers with
cyber security professionals to help protect patient health information. Founded by a female cyber
security professional, this initiative aims to support all global providers dedicated to the medical care of
women and girls both during and after the COVID-19 crisis has passed.
About the Author
Sarah Katz is a cyber security analyst at NASA Ames Research
Center, author and Berkeley alum. In addition to information security,
her passions include medicine and caving. Sarah can be reached on
Twitter @authorsarahkatz.
Cyber Defense eMagazine –June 2020 Edition 96
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