Gone are the days of hackers brute-forcing their way into your systems. Today’s cybercriminals are smarter—and far sneakier. Instead of smashing the lock, they’re using your keys.
These are called identity-based attacks, and they’re now one of the most common threats facing small businesses and healthcare practices across Carmel, Fishers, and the greater Indianapolis area.
Why You Should Be Concerned
Recent industry reports show that over two-thirds of major security incidents in 2024 stemmed from stolen login credentials. Even major corporations like MGM and Caesars weren’t immune—both were breached by attackers who simply logged in using stolen credentials.
If it can happen to billion-dollar enterprises, it can absolutely happen to small medical offices, dental practices, law firms, and local retailers.
How Hackers Are Sneaking In
The scariest part? These attacks usually start with something incredibly simple:
- A staff member clicks a fake login link in an email.
- A personal device is compromised through public Wi-Fi.
- Hackers “flood” an employee’s phone with 2FA requests until they accidentally tap approve (known as MFA fatigue).
- They impersonate your IT provider, billing service, or call center.
And once they’re in? They move quietly—accessing patient records, sensitive business data, financial info, or launching ransomware from the inside.
What Carmel and Indy Practices Can Do Right Now
You don’t need a huge IT budget or in-house cybersecurity team to defend against these attacks. Here are practical steps any small business in Central Indiana can take:
✅ Use Strong MFA (Not Just Text Messages)
Multi-factor authentication is critical—but not all MFA is created equal. Text-based codes can be hijacked. Instead, use app-based authentication like Microsoft Authenticator or hardware keys like YubiKey.
✅ Train Your Team
Your front desk staff and office managers are often the first line of defense. Make sure they know how to spot phishing emails, fake login pages, and suspicious texts. (We can help with staff training.)
✅ Minimize Access
Every employee should only have access to what they need to do their job—nothing more. If a breach occurs, this limits the damage.
✅ Go Passwordless or Use a Manager
Encourage use of password managers, fingerprint logins, or facial recognition. Passwords are still the weakest link if not managed properly.
✅ Monitor Third-Party Access
Even trusted vendors (like your IT provider, billing partner, or EHR company) can become risk vectors. Ask about their access policies and controls.
Let’s Keep Indiana Businesses Secure—Starting With Yours
You don’t have to become a cybersecurity expert to protect your business—you just need the right partner. At PropellerHeads, we specialize in keeping Carmel and Indianapolis-area businesses secure, compliant, and confident.
Let us help you lock down your logins, train your team, and spot gaps before attackers do.
👉 Schedule your free IT discovery call today to find out how secure your systems really are: https://www.mypropellerheads.com/discoverycall/
