As a healthcare professional, you know that cybersecurity is of critical importance to your organization. With the increasing reliance on digital tools and the abundance of sensitive patient data, healthcare organizations are prime targets for cyberattacks. And with the constantly evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats, it's crucial to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices.
Today, we'll explore the critical cybersecurity trends and challenges healthcare organizations can expect to face in 2023. From the growing threat of ransomware attacks to the increasing importance of employee training, we've got you covered.
Let's dive into the key cybersecurity trends and challenges healthcare organizations can expect to face in 2023. By staying current on these trends and incorporating best practices into your organization's security strategy, you can help protect your patients, staff and organization.
Focus on data privacy laws
Data privacy laws are essential to any healthcare organization's cybersecurity strategy. These laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States, establish standards for protecting patient data and ensure that healthcare organizations are transparent about their data collection and usage practices.
Keeping up to date on the latest data privacy laws and regulations is essential for healthcare organizations in 2023. Your organization must comply with these laws and ensure that its data practices are transparent and ethical.
Healthcare organizations may face financial fines, legal action, and reputational damage if they do not comply with data privacy laws.
See more: Why is healthcare a juicy target for cybercrime?
Increased cloud-based services add additional risks
Healthcare organizations can also expect an increase in cloud-based services in 2023. Healthcare organizations increasingly store and access data in the cloud, from electronic health records (EHRs) to telemedicine platforms.
In addition to offering numerous benefits, such as increased efficiency and reduced IT costs, cloud-based services also pose some risks. A data breach is one such risk. For example, sensitive patient data can be accessed and compromised if the cloud-based system of a healthcare organization is hacked.
To mitigate this risk, healthcare organizations should carefully evaluate the security measures for cloud-based services. Encrypting data in transit and at rest and implementing robust access controls are critical to preventing unauthorized access.
See more: HHS reminder: remain vigilant against cyberthreats
Cybersecurity committees
A cybersecurity committee is a group of individuals within an organization who are responsible for developing and implementing the organization's cybersecurity strategy.
There are several benefits to having a cybersecurity committee in place. First and foremost, it ensures that cybersecurity gets the attention it deserves at the highest levels of the organization. This is especially important in the healthcare industry, where the consequences of a data breach can be severe.
A cybersecurity committee can also help coordinate departments' efforts and ensure that all employees are trained on best practices for protecting sensitive data. Additionally, having a dedicated group of individuals responsible for cybersecurity allows for more efficient decision-making and response in the event of a security incident.
The growing threat of cyberattacks will lead to more healthcare organizations establishing cybersecurity committees in 2023. Consider forming a cybersecurity committee if your organization does not already have one.
See more: White House warns against possible Russian cyberattacks
Increased importance of risk assessments
Healthcare organizations must prioritize identifying and mitigating potential vulnerabilities as cyberattacks continue to grow.
Many organizations use risk assessment frameworks such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology's Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CSF) to accomplish this. The framework provides a set of best practices and guidelines for identifying and prioritizing cybersecurity risks and preparing an organization's cybersecurity plan.
The HITRUST CSF certification is considered the compliance gold standard for the healthcare industry. In fact, more than 85 percent of U.S. health insurers, 80% of U.S. hospitals, and hundreds of other covered entities and business associates leverage the HITRUST Approach in their HIPAA compliance initiatives.
See more: HIPAA compliant email: The definitive guide
Email security and Paubox
As healthcare organizations increasingly rely on digital communications, they are at risk of phishing and ransomware attacks.
One tool that can help to improve email security for healthcare organizations is Paubox Email Suite, the easiest way to send and receive HIPAA compliant email without extra steps, such as portals and passwords. Additional plans include robust inbound email security with patented features to stop email threats before it hits the inbox.
By adopting a secure email platform like Paubox, healthcare organizations can help protect themselves and their patients from email-based attacks and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements.
