This blog is part of a series to help organizations of any size optimize their security. Our experts provide insights and recommendations based on common security use cases, customer questions, and security software developer needs.
The digitization of patient records, interconnected medical devices, and telemedicine platforms have revolutionized the healthcare industry’s efficiency and patient care. The reliance on an expanding number of digital tools and resources, however, also presents new cybersecurity challenges.
As stewards of unparalleled data sensitivity and personal information, the healthcare industry is an enticing target for cyber threats. Healthcare organizations can evaluate their current security state by starting with these 10 considerations.
1. Medical device security – Medical devices such as insulin pumps and pacemakers are increasingly connected to networks for data sharing and remote monitoring, and ensuring the security of these devices is crucial. For example, vulnerabilities in a connected insulin pump could allow an unauthorized person to control the insulin dosage remotely and pose serious health risks to patients.
2. Ransomware mitigation – Threat actors target healthcare organizations because of the data available and the need to restore the data for ongoing patient care. Once cyber criminals using ransomware take control of an organization’s data, they demand payment for its release and cause disrupted services, compromised patient care, and significant financial losses.
3. Telemedicine security – Secure video conferencing platforms and data encryption during remote consultations are vital to protect patient privacy and confidentiality. Third-party vendors should be vetted to meet the same security protocols and standards that on-premises hardware, software, and devices must meet.
4. Bring your own device (BYOD) policies – Healthcare professionals often use personal devices for work. Implementing strong BYOD policies, including device encryption, remote wiping capabilities, access restrictions, and endpoint detection and response capabilities, helps mitigate security risks associated with personal devices accessing sensitive patient information.
5. Internet of Things (IoT) security – The proliferation of IoT devices in healthcare, such as wearable health trackers and smart medical equipment, increases vulnerability. These devices may lack robust security measures, making them susceptible to breaches that could compromise patient data.
6. Cloud security – Many healthcare organizations use cloud-based systems to store and manage patient data. Ensuring that cloud services comply with industry regulations and have strong encryption, authentication and access controls, and regular security audits is vital to prevent data breaches.
7. Phishing and social engineering – Healthcare staff are often targeted by phishing attacks, where fraudulent emails or messages trick them into revealing sensitive information or clicking on malicious links. Regular training on identifying and handling such threats is essential to maintaining data safety and integrity.
8. Legacy system vulnerabilities – Older systems and software in healthcare settings may have security vulnerabilities due to the retirement of support and patches. Upgrading or replacing these systems reduces the risk of exploitation for cyber attacks.
9. Interoperability challenges – Integrating different systems and technologies for sharing patient information among healthcare providers raises data integrity and security concerns. Ensuring that secure data exchange protocols and standards are optimized and integrated into IT ecosystems helps maintain patient confidentiality and prevent unauthorized access to data.
10. Regulatory compliance and audits – Healthcare organizations must complete regular audits and assessments to ensure compliance with regulations like HIPAA and GDPR as a commitment to safeguarding patient data. A comprehensive program regularly meeting these requirements is imperative for smooth compliance execution.
Learn more about security for your unique environment
If you’re unsure about your security posture or the level of vulnerability in your organization’s IT environment, a security assessment can help you develop a clear view of your current state and possible remediations needed. You can also rehearse real-time scenarios and threat-hunting through our Cyber Defense Simulation service. Visit the Professional Services for Security resources section for overviews of the different types of assessments available, and contact us at [email protected] to learn more.
For more support, read the other blogs in this series, which include tips for building up cybersecurity skills, a review of the cybersecurity mesh architecture framework, and practical ways to secure APIs.
