October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a time dedicated to reminding organizations and individuals alike that security is not a one-time investment but an ongoing commitment. At HealthAxis, we see this as an opportunity to reaffirm our focus on protecting sensitive health data, supporting our partners, and strengthening our internal security posture. As threats continue to evolve, particularly with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in both offensive and defensive security tactics, it is more important than ever to stay informed and proactive.
Best Practices for Cybersecurity in the Age of AI
The cybersecurity landscape has shifted dramatically with AI tools now widely available. Attackers are leveraging these technologies to automate phishing campaigns, generate convincing fraudulent content, and identify system vulnerabilities faster than before. At the same time, security professionals are using AI to detect anomalies, respond to incidents in real-time, and reduce false positives in monitoring systems. The reality is that AI has raised the stakes on both sides.
Here are some best practices to help organizations and individuals remain protected:
- Strengthen Authentication: Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is the standard for all business systems. Password managers also ensure employees create and maintain strong, unique credentials.
- Be Wary of Social Engineering: Phishing attempts are increasingly sophisticated. Always verify the sender, avoid clicking suspicious links, report questionable messages to your IT team, and use the Report Phishing, Report Spam, or Block Sender features.
- Keep Software Updated: Regular patching and updates are critical to closing vulnerabilities, made easier by enabling automatic updates. Outdated systems are among the easiest targets for automated attacks.
- Leverage AI Defensively: Organizations should explore security tools that use AI for anomaly detection, log monitoring, and automated response, ensuring attackers do not gain the upper hand.
- Invest in Education: Continuous training ensures staff at every level understand emerging risks and how to respond appropriately.
- Expand Testing: Doing a yearly penetration test isn’t enough anymore. Our organization executes regular testing in various formats to ensure readiness for incidents or alerts. This includes internal and third-party testing.
HealthAxis Commitment to Security
At HealthAxis, we recognize that protecting sensitive health information is both a responsibility and a promise. Our security program includes rigorous safeguards that extend beyond industry standards. We conduct regular in-house testing to proactively identify and address weaknesses before they can be exploited. In addition, we engage trusted third-party security firms to perform 24x7x365 Security Operations Center monitoring, independent penetration testing, and audits, providing objective validation of our defenses.
These tests are not a formality but an essential component of our security lifecycle. They allow us to continuously refine our systems, strengthen defenses, and confirm that our technology and processes meet the highest standards of protection.
Why This Matters
Healthcare data is among the most targeted information in the world due to its sensitivity and value. Cybersecurity Awareness Month serves as a reminder that we must all remain vigilant. At HealthAxis, we are committed to protecting not only the systems that power our solutions but also the trust of our clients and the privacy of the members they serve.
We encourage our partners, colleagues, and peers to take this opportunity to review their own security practices and ensure they are aligned with today’s evolving threat landscape. Together, we can create a safer, more resilient healthcare ecosystem.
Authors:
Manager, Information Security
IT Security Engineer
