SafeShell VPN Security

Key Takeaways
- 133 million healthcare records were breached in 2023 (HIPAA Journal, based on HHS OCR data).
- Medical records command high prices on underground markets; some reports cite up to ~$1,000 depending on content.
- SafeShell VPN protects data in transit and supports HIPAA/GDPR alignment.
- VPNs are one layer in a broader security strategy, not a standalone solution.
SafeShell VPN security is becoming essential as healthcare rapidly shifts online. In 2023, more than 133 million health records were compromised (see HIPAA Journal’s 2023 overview). Unlike financial data, medical records cannot be reset once stolen; media and industry analyses report dark-web prices ranging widely and sometimes reaching high figures when full medical dossiers are offered.
To address these risks, solutions such as SafeShell VPN help protect sensitive health information in transit, secure telemedicine communications, and support compliance with privacy regulations.
Why Digital Health Requires Enhanced Protection
Healthcare is one of the most targeted sectors for cybercrime. Several trends highlight the urgency of strong protection:
- In 2021, 37.0% of U.S. adults used telemedicine in the past 12 months (CDC, NCHS Data Brief No. 445).
- By 2026, global connected health devices are projected to exceed 400 million (Statista).
- Healthcare has the highest average breach cost at $10.93 million (IBM, 2023 Cost of a Data Breach Report).
- Analysts note healthcare records can be worth far more than credit card numbers in illicit markets (WEF, 2025; IBM X-Force coverage).
How SafeShell VPN Digital Health Security Protects Patients
SafeShell VPN provides targeted features that address the needs of healthcare providers and patients:
- Military-grade encryption to safeguard patient records and logins.
- Private telemedicine sessions that reduce interception risk during video consultations.
- Secure access for users abroad, ensuring continuity of care across borders.
- Protection for connected devices such as wearables, smart scales, and glucose monitors.
- Support for compliance with HIPAA (U.S.) and GDPR (EU) privacy standards.
Limitations and Considerations
While VPNs such as SafeShell are valuable, they are not a complete solution. A VPN primarily protects data in transit—the information moving between a device and a network. Important limitations include:
- Endpoint exposure: If a device is infected with malware, a VPN does not remove the infection or stop local data theft.
- Organizational practices: Many healthcare breaches stem from weak passwords, phishing, or insider threats. A VPN cannot compensate for poor security hygiene.
- Data at rest: VPNs do not encrypt files stored on devices or in cloud databases; additional controls are needed for stored information.
- Performance trade-offs: Depending on network conditions, VPN use may introduce latency for telehealth video calls or remote monitoring.
Who Benefits from a VPN in Healthcare?
- Patients using telemedicine who want assurance of privacy.
- Individuals traveling and accessing healthcare platforms via public Wi-Fi.
- Wearable device users transmitting health data to cloud platforms.
- Clinics and providers needing extra compliance support.
Further Resources
For readers seeking practical tools to enhance their digital health security, SafeShell VPN is available with more information here: Learn more about SafeShell VPN.
Disclosure: This article contains an affiliate link. If you choose to purchase through this link, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are based on relevance to digital health security.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Telemedicine Use Among Adults: United States, 2021 (NCHS Data Brief No. 445). National Center for Health Statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db445.htm
- IBM. (2023). Cost of a Data Breach Report 2023 (Healthcare average cost: $10.93M). PDF
- HIPAA Journal. (2024, Jan. 22). December 2023 Healthcare Data Breach Report (2023 totals). https://www.hipaajournal.com/december-2023-healthcare-data-breach-report/
- World Economic Forum. (2025, Jan. 29). Here’s how data awareness can tackle cybercrime’s spread. https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/01/cybercrime-data-cybersecurity/
- IBM X-Force (Think). (n.d.). Healthcare data breaches are the costliest (context on illicit data value). https://www.ibm.com/think/x-force/healthcare-data-breaches-costliest
- ABC 10News. (2021, May 11). In-Depth: Up to $1K offered on dark web for patient medical records. https://www.10news.com/news/in-depth/in-depth-up-to-1k-offered-on-dark-web-for-patient-medical-records
- Statista. (2022). Number of connected wearable devices worldwide from 2016 to 2026. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1101442/iot-number-of-connected-devices-worldwide/