Sofia Spatola
Posted by Computer Solutions on March 24, 2025
As a veterinary hospital owner, you’re always thinking about how to protect your patients, staff, and operations. But what about your business’s cybersecurity? One of the fastest-growing threats to businesses like yours is Business E-mail Compromise (BEC). While this threat has been around for years, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has made these attacks more sophisticated—and far more dangerous.
In fact, in 2023, BEC scams resulted in $6.7 billion in global losses, and experts are predicting this number will continue to climb. In just the first half of 2024, BEC incidents saw a 42% increase compared to the same period last year. With AI helping cybercriminals refine their tactics, this threat is only becoming more alarming.
What Is a Business E-mail Compromise (BEC) Attack?
Unlike standard phishing scams that rely on generic tactics, BEC attacks are highly targeted and use compromised e-mail accounts to trick employees, partners, or even clients into revealing sensitive information or transferring funds.
These scams are often disguised as trustworthy communication—whether it’s from a familiar vendor, an executive in your practice, or even a colleague. This makes BEC attacks incredibly hard to spot.
Why Are BEC Attacks So Dangerous for Veterinary Hospitals?
BEC attacks aren’t just about a compromised email; they can cause serious harm to your hospital’s operations, finances, and reputation. Here’s why:
- Financial Losses: A single convincing email could lead to unauthorized payments or stolen data. The average loss from a BEC attack is over $137,000, and recovering stolen funds is nearly impossible.
- Operational Disruption: An attack could bring your hospital’s operations to a halt, leading to downtime, audits, and an overwhelming amount of internal chaos.
- Reputational Damage: If client or patient data is compromised, it can damage the trust you’ve worked so hard to build.
- Loss of Trust: Your team may feel less secure and lose confidence in the systems protecting your business.
Common BEC Scams You Should Be Aware Of
BEC scams take many different forms, but some of the most common tactics include:
- Fake Invoices: Cybercriminals impersonate vendors and send fake invoices, requesting immediate payment.
- CEO Fraud: Hackers pose as senior hospital leaders, pressuring staff to transfer funds quickly.
- Compromised E-mail Accounts: Hackers gain access to legitimate accounts and use them to send fraudulent requests.
- Vendor Impersonation: Cybercriminals pretend to be trusted vendors, making fraudulent requests that seem routine.
How to Protect Your Veterinary Hospital from BEC
The good news is that with the right cybersecurity strategies, you can prevent BEC attacks and keep your hospital safe. Here are a few steps to take right now:
1. Educate Your Team
Make sure your staff is trained to recognize suspicious emails. Teach them to be especially cautious with “urgent” messages or any request that involves financial transactions.
2. Use Multifactor Authentication (MFA)
MFA is an extra layer of protection that requires users to verify their identity through more than just a password. It’s essential to enable MFA on all critical accounts, especially email and financial platforms.
3. Test Your Backups
Ensure your backup systems are working properly by regularly restoring data. A faulty backup during an attack could paralyze your hospital’s operations.
4. Invest in Advanced E-mail Security
Utilize advanced email filters that block malicious attachments and links. Regularly audit access permissions and make sure to revoke access for former employees immediately.
5. Verify Financial Transactions
Before authorizing any large payments or sensitive financial requests, always double-check via a separate communication channel, like a phone call, to ensure the request is legitimate.
Ready to Strengthen Your Hospital’s Cybersecurity?
As cybercriminals continue to evolve, it’s critical to stay ahead of the curve. By securing your email, training your team, and verifying financial transactions, you can turn your hospital into a fortress against BEC scams. At Computer Solutions, our 24 hour support includes 24 security monitoring.
Interested in learning how we can help safeguard your practice? Book a discovery call with us today! We’ll assess your systems, identify vulnerabilities, and help you create a solid plan to protect your hospital from cyber threats.
Call us at 609.514.0100 or visit our welinku.com to schedule your call.
