The researchers found 73 percent of the 413 study participants had been victims of a data breach. The participants were shown data from up to three data breaches they were involved in.
Four things to know:
- Researchers used a publicly accessible database to search participants’ email addresses and phone numbers. The database tells users which data breach their information was leaked in, with brief details about the incident.
- Participant’s data had been breached an average of five times each, with participants unaware of 74 percent of the breaches.
- Only 14 percent of participants attributed the breach to an organization being hacked. Instead, participants listed using the same password across multiple accounts and having an email account for too long as top reasons.
- “This is concerning,” said Yixin Zou, PhD candidate at the University of Michigan. “If people don’t know that their information was exposed in a breach, they cannot protect themselves properly against a breach’s implications.”
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.
