Supply chain breaches are among some of the most dangerous cyberattacks that can impact patient care. They are the healthcare system’s “Achilles’ heel,” so to speak. 

A recent report shows that nearly 92% of U.S. healthcare entities experienced a cyberattack last year, many of which targeted key supply chain links. And the effects can be devastating: these attacks have caused delays in surgeries and worsened patient outcomes. About 28% of healthcare entities reported an increase in patient deaths due to delayed care. 

Those staggering statistics should urge healthcare facilities to address this threat expeditiously. Another essential factor? Healthcare mobile apps. Widely used by both patients and providers, these apps hold vast amounts of data but remain largely vulnerable to cyberthreats. 

This makes a strong protection approach essential for mobile apps because they stand as a weak link and emerging threat vector that demands proper attention.

Digital dependence opens up path for criminals

As dependence on digital tools continues to grow within healthcare, there has been a surge in healthcare apps serving various roles—from managing patient records to telemedicine and so much more. These apps make health data easy to access and support seamless patient-provider collaboration. 

However, this same accessibility makes them prime targets for cybercriminals; they look to exploit weaknesses in the healthcare supply chain. 

The dependence on third-party vendors and cloud services opens countless entry points for hackers. With one breach, hackers can infiltrate networks, thus putting patient data at risk and potentially affecting patient lives. 

Despite their importance, many healthcare apps lack advanced shielding measures to fend off complex attacks. These weak spots expose the entire healthcare system to greater risk.

Advanced access to data necessitates strong protection

Addressing vulnerabilities requires more than a basic approach. Protecting healthcare apps calls for a layered defense strategy beyond traditional methods. Effective shielding requires multiple protection layers, including data encryption, secure coding, ongoing monitoring, and threat intelligence sharing. 

The ever-growing number of successful cyberattacks across all industries, including healthcare, shows that most mobile app owners can’t face the needed protection challenges alone. 

The especially interconnected nature of healthcare means a breach in one organization can affect a big swath of the sector. This interconnectedness underscores the importance of a collaborative approach with app shielding specialists that know how to efficiently yet powerfully boost the protection posture for vital mobile apps.

Furthermore, healthcare organizations should consider placing redundancies into their supply chain. Multiple vendors or backup suppliers can reduce the risk of operational paralysis if a primary vendor is compromised. In a ransomware attack on a main supplier, backup suppliers could keep essential services running somewhat smoothly.

25 popular healthcare apps

  1. Abbott LibreLink: Designed for use with Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre glucose monitoring system, allowing users to monitor glucose levels.
  2. Amgen Repatha® App: Assists patients prescribed Repatha® with injection reminders and support resources.
  3. AstraZeneca AZhelps: Offers support resources for patients on AstraZeneca medications, including reminders and information.
  4. Bayer myBETAapp™: Designed for multiple sclerosis patients to track injections and manage treatment with Bayer’s BETACONNECT™.
  5. BD Diabetes Care: Provides tools and resources for diabetes management, developed by Becton, Dickinson and Company.
  6. Boston Scientific LATITUDE™: Enables patients with Boston Scientific devices to monitor their cardiac health data.
  7. Cleveland Clinic Express Care® Online: Provides virtual visits with Cleveland Clinic healthcare providers for non-emergency conditions.
  8. Dexcom G6: A continuous glucose monitoring app for diabetes management, developed by Dexcom.
  9. GE Healthcare Centricity™: Allows healthcare providers to access patient records and imaging from GE Healthcare systems.
  10. GSK MyAsthma: Provides tools for asthma patients to monitor symptoms and manage their condition.
  11. IMED Hospitales: A private healthcare group in Spain, has developed a mobile application to enhance patient experience across its network of hospitals.
  12. Kaiser Permanente: Members can access their medical records, refill prescriptions, and schedule appointments through this app.
  13. Mayo Clinic: Offers access to medical information, appointment scheduling, and personalized health insights from the Mayo Clinic.
  14. Medisafe Medication Management: Helps users manage their medications and adherence, with partnerships from various pharmaceutical companies.
  15. Medtronic CareLink™ Mobile: Allows patients with Medtronic devices to track their health data and share it with their healthcare providers.
  16. Merck Manual Professional: Provides healthcare professionals with medical information and resources from Merck & Co.
  17. MyChart: Allows patients to access their medical records, schedule appointments, and communicate with healthcare providers.
  18. Novartis’ ViaOpta Daily: Designed to assist visually impaired individuals, this app offers features like object recognition, scene description, and text reading to enhance daily living and independence.
  19. NYU Langone Health: Allows patients to manage their healthcare, including scheduling appointments and viewing test results with NYU Langone Health.
  20. Philips HealthSuite Health App: Connects to Philips health devices to monitor and manage personal health data.
  21. Pfizer HemMobile®: Designed for hemophilia patients to log bleeds and track infusion treatments.
  22. Roche Diabetes Care: Offers diabetes management solutions, including blood glucose monitoring and data tracking.
  23. Sanofi My Dose Coach: Helps patients with diabetes manage their insulin doses, developed by Sanofi.
  24. Siemens Healthineers teamplay: A platform for medical professionals to access imaging data and collaborate on cases.
  25. UCLA Health: Enables patients to manage appointments, view test results, and access health information from UCLA Health.

The final stitch

It’s clear that healthcare apps are far more than conveniences—they are lifelines in modern healthcare that not only improve lives but save them as well. 

Cyberattacks pose serious risks, especially as mobile app supply chains continue to become more and more complex. The rise in cyber incidents brings to light the urgent need for a multi-layered mobile app shielding strategy to address the unique risks posed by healthcare apps. 

By assessing vendor risks, implementing proven shielding measures, promoting ongoing education, and investing in talent, healthcare app owners can more confidently protect their digital infrastructure—and ultimately, the lives of their patients.