Oklahoma has been identified as one of the 10 states least susceptible to cyber-attacks in 2024, according to a recent study. This assessment follows a series of cyber-attacks on two separate hospital systems within the state over the past two months.
In November, Hillcrest Healthcare System, a multistate hospital chain, experienced a ransomware attack. Additionally, Integris Health fell victim to another cyber-attack just a month ago.
Despite these incidents, cybersecurity experts emphasize that Oklahoma holds an advantageous position as one of the states least vulnerable to such attacks.
A study conducted by NetworkBuildz specifically ranked Oklahoma at the 41st position on the list of states vulnerable to cyber-attacks in 2024.
Christopher Freeze, an assistant professor at OU Polytechnic Institute, said, “What I think it shows is that we’re fortunate that we don’t have some of the populations that some of the larger states do.”
Freeze suggests that Oklahoma’s position in the study might reflect the level of cybersecurity awareness among its citizens or could be influenced by age demographics.
“We have a very well-educated population. There are some things about the study, [that] I thought should be noted. One, a lot of states that they ranked high were states that have older populations,” Freeze stated. “One thing that we have to keep in mind is that some of the most susceptible victims that we have in cybersecurity fraud and crime issues are our elderly population.”
Hospitals can also become targets of cyberattacks.
Professor of Cyber Studies at the University of Tulsa, Stephen Flowerday stated that, “A hospital focuses on a person’s health. And the systems are secondary. So, they often have out-of-date operating systems they haven’t updated, They’re often weak.”
Freeze says that’s a real risk and stresses the need of reporting cyberattacks.
Regarding the two hospitals, we received a statement from Hillcrest HealthCare System today that stated, among other things,
The business that runs Hillcrest, Ardent, has started contacting people whose information may have been compromised in order to provide them further details and advice on how to safeguard their data.
Additionally, Integris issued a statement confirming that they have identified the affected parties and are contacting them to offer notification and assistance, along with a complimentary 24-month trial of credit monitoring and identity protection services.
