Healthcare institutions have fully embraced technology to streamline administrative duties and improve patient care. But with this shift, they've also opened themselves up to cybersecurity threats.
Protecting sensitive patient data
The need to safeguard sensitive patient information is at the heart of healthcare cybersecurity. The healthcare industry has become a prime target for cybercriminals, who seek to exploit the treasure trove of protected health information and financial records entrusted to these organizations. Cybersecurity measures, such as advanced encryption, secure data transmission, and rigorous access controls, are necessary to prevent unauthorized access and maintain the trust that is fundamental to the patient-provider relationship.
According to a study on Healthcare Data Breaches: Insights and Implications, “E-health data is highly susceptible, as it is targeted most frequently by attackers. A long-term analysis of data breaches showed that healthcare records were exposed by both internal and external attacks, such as hacking, theft/loss, unauthentic internal disclosure, and the improper disposal of unnecessary but sensitive data.”
Read more: What is cybersecurity in healthcare?
Ensuring regulatory compliance
According to HHS, health organizations must “conduct an accurate and thorough assessment of the potential risks and vulnerabilities to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic protected health information held by the organization.”
Healthcare organizations operate within a stringent regulatory framework, with HIPAA being a prime example. Compliance with these regulations, which mandate the confidential handling of protected health information, is imperative. Integrating cybersecurity practices into operational strategies is not merely a defensive tactic but a necessity to avoid severe penalties, legal repercussions, and reputational damage that can result from non-compliance.
Related: GRC: Governance, Risk, and Compliance
Mitigating risks and reducing operational costs
The financial implications of a data breach can be substantial and potentially devastating for healthcare providers. Beyond the immediate costs of resolving the breach, organizations may face long-term consequences such as lawsuits, fines, and decreased patient enrollment due to eroded trust.
This is supported by Deloitte's study, which states that over 90 percent of the impact of a cyber attack is likely to be intangible. These hidden costs can greatly affect your business's overall financial health and operational efficiency.
Investing in proactive cybersecurity measures, including risk assessments, continuous monitoring, and incident response planning, can mitigate these risks and ultimately save healthcare organizations substantial operational costs.
Ensuring continuity of care and enhancing patient outcomes
Cybersecurity directly impacts the quality of patient care by safeguarding the systems used for diagnosis, treatment, and patient management. Cyberattacks can disrupt these systems, leading to delays in care and potentially endangering patient lives. By implementing cybersecurity measures, healthcare organizations can ensure the continuity of care and the operational reliability necessary for effective healthcare delivery, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Read also: Improving patient outcomes through care coordination in emails
Leveraging advanced cybersecurity tools and technologies
The healthcare sector has access to a vast array of advanced tools and technologies designed to address the complexities of cybersecurity. These include intrusion detection systems, secure access management solutions, and sophisticated cybersecurity software tailored for healthcare environments. Embracing these cutting-edge tools allows healthcare organizations to stay ahead of changing cyber threats and adapt.
Read more: What is threat management?
In the news
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced a groundbreaking $50 million initiative for bolstering cybersecurity measures within hospitals. Dubbed the Universal PatchinG and Remediation for Autonomous DEfense (UPGRADE) program, its primary objective is to fortify entire systems and networks of medical devices, ensuring scalable solutions to combat digital threats. Spearheaded by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), the initiative seeks proposals from the private sector to develop advanced vulnerability mitigation software platforms and automated detection systems. Additionally, it tries to create digital replicas of hospital equipment for emergency testing and deployment, along with customizable defenses tailored specifically for healthcare facilities.
The announcement of the UPGRADE program coincides with a surge in cyber incidents targeting the healthcare sector. Recent attacks, including one on the nonprofit healthcare system Ascension, have prompted calls from White House officials and Congress for legislative action to address this escalating threat. The UPGRADE initiative represents a step towards achieving this goal, promising rapid and automated patch deployment to safeguard both hospital staff and patients alike.
FAQs
What is a cyberattack?
A cyberattack is a deliberate exploitation of computer systems, technology-dependent enterprises, and networks. It involves unauthorized access, disruption, or theft of information from a targeted system or network.
How can individuals and organizations protect themselves from cyberattacks?
- Strong passwords: Use complex and unique passwords for different accounts.
- Security software: Install and regularly update antivirus and antimalware software.
- Employee training: Educate employees about cybersecurity best practices.
- Regular backups: Regularly back up data to a secure location.
How do cyber attacks impact healthcare operations and patient care?
- On average, cyberattacks take healthcare organizations offline for six hours, with smaller hospitals commonly being offline for 9 hours or more.
- 95% of identity theft happens because of stolen healthcare records.
What are the consequences of cyberattacks on healthcare organizations?
- 20% of hospitals that experienced a cyber attack reported an increase in patient mortality.
- Ransomware is the most disruptive type of attack that leads to the most operational delays.
- 90% of healthcare organizations reported a loss in revenue after a cyber attack.
Learn more: HIPAA Compliant Email: The Definitive Guide
Farah Amod
