Securing the Pharmaceutical Industry

Introduction

The pharmaceutical industry is undergoing transformative growth, projected to reach $1.39 trillion by 2028. This expansion is driven by an aging population and advancements in drug development. However, the industry’s rapid digital transformation and valuable data make it a prime target for cybercriminals, with 97% of pharmaceutical companies experiencing at least one cloud data leak. The interconnected pharmaceutical supply chain further amplifies these risks, leading to a surge in ransomware attacks, such as the 2024 Cencora cyberattack.

Background

In February 2024, Cencora, a global leader in pharmaceutical distribution with $262.2 billion in revenue, was targeted by a sophisticated cyberattack. Attackers exfiltrated critical data, including intellectual property, financial records, and customer information.
The Attack

The Attack

Likely a ransomware attack by the Dark Angels group.
Attack vector possibly involved spear-phishing, malware, or zero-day vulnerabilities.
Attackers remained undetected for an extended period, exfiltrating sensitive data before initiating the ransom demand.

Impact

$75 million ransom payment.
Additional costs for investigation, data recovery, and security enhancements.
Loss of sensitive intellectual property, disrupting research and jeopardizing competitive advantage.
Reputational damage and erosion of trust among partners and customers.

Analysis

The attack highlights the growing threat of cyberattacks in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly targeting intellectual property and critical supply chains.
Traditional security measures are insufficient to combat these sophisticated threats.
A proactive, multi-layered cybersecurity approach is essential.

Pvotal's Solution: Infrastream

Unwavering Security for Sensitive Data

Infrastream’s zero-trust security model and Managed Infrastructure as Code (IaC) framework ensure your cloud infrastructure is not just secure, but also fully compliant with PCI DSS, safeguarding customer data from unauthorized access and potential breaches.

Streamlined Development and Deployment

Infrastream helps retail teams innovate quickly without compromising security. With automated workflows and seamless deployment, you can release new features faster, ensuring your platform stays ahead of customer expectations.

Unified Platform, Unmatched Control

With Infrastream, you simplify your IT ecosystem, reducing reliance on multiple third-party vendors. This reduces both costs and security risks while providing greater control over your cloud operations.

The Advantage

Infrastream empowers retailers to move beyond reactive security measures and embrace a proactive, holistic approach to cybersecurity. By automating security, retailers can minimize the risks of data breaches, protect sensitive customer data, and maintain business continuity.