Healthcare organisations face significant cyber threats due to their valuable data, which includes personal and financial information. The team at Radar Healthcare offers essential tips for safeguarding sensitive patient data and ensures robust protection against cyberattacks.

Nowadays organisations rely heavily on technology and store their sensitive data electronically, making it a prime target for cybercriminals. Healthcare organisations, in particular, face an array of evolving cyberthreats that can jeopardise patient safety. Sensitive data, from intellectual property to personally identifiable information (PII), attracts cybercriminals for purposes ranging from financial gain to espionage. 

The consequences of cyberattacks can be severe, including reputational damage and business disruptions. Given the high stakes involved—where operational threats can impact hospital functions and endanger patient welfare—healthcare organisations must implement effective cybersecurity practices. By adopting comprehensive strategies and measures, healthcare providers can better safeguard sensitive information and ensure uninterrupted care.

Why Healthcare Organisations Are More Vulnerable to Cyberattacks

Healthcare organisations are particularly susceptible to cyberattacks due to the high value of the information they hold. This data includes protected health information (PHI), financial details such as credit card and bank account numbers, personally identifiable information (PII) like Social Security numbers, and intellectual property related to medical research and innovation.

Stolen health records can be worth significantly more on the dark web than other types of stolen data. In fact, health records can sell for up to ten times the value of stolen credit card numbers. Additionally, the cost of addressing a data breach in the healthcare sector is considerably higher compared to other industries. On average, it costs $408 to remediate a single stolen health record, nearly three times the $148 cost associated with non-health records. This substantial financial impact underscores the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures in healthcare.

Key strategies for enhancing cybersecurity in healthcare

To safeguard patient information and ensure operational continuity, organisations must adopt comprehensive cybersecurity strategies. This involves not only implementing technical measures but also fostering a strong security culture within the workplace. Here are some strategies to enhance cybersecurity by the team at Radar Healthcare:

Establishing a strong cybersecurity culture

Frequent education and training: Human error or negligence can have devastating consequences. Therefore, providing frequent education and training sessions for healthcare staff is paramount. When staff are well-informed about maintaining cybersecurity, they can make better decisions and exercise appropriate caution when handling sensitive information.

Leadership and responsibility: Building a security culture also requires managers and other leaders to set a positive example. Data security must be a collaborative effort, reflected throughout every level and branch of an organisation. Collectively taking responsibility for maintaining data security should be among an organisation’s core values.

Dedicated security teams: Having a dedicated team for security compliance plays a crucial role in ensuring adherence to regulations and best practices. An additional layer of expertise and vigilance helps safeguard sensitive data and effectively mitigate risks.

Supporting staff in cybersecurity

Creating a supportive environment for staff is essential for maintaining robust cybersecurity. Offering a range of training resources, both online and in-person, can empower employees to understand and implement security best practices effectively. For instance, Radar Healthcare provides an Academy with a variety of training courses, including data protection training and cybersecurity awareness, ensuring staff are well-equipped to handle sensitive data securely.

Protecting company computers

Computers are primary devices used to store, access, and update personal health information. Thus, organisations must take proactive measures to secure these devices.

Installing Antivirus Software: Computer viruses, or malware, can infiltrate devices and cause severe damage, including data theft. Antivirus software combats malware attempting to enter a device and scans for potential viruses, placing identified threats in a protected folder for removal.

Implementing Data Access and Usage Controls: Access controls limit patient information access to only those who need it for their jobs. Authorisation via PIN, password, or biometric scanning ensures only authorised users can view sensitive data. Usage controls restrict specific actions, such as web uploads or copying files to external drives, further protecting personal health information.

Securing mobile devices

The use of mobile devices by healthcare professionals is on the rise, necessitating stringent security measures:

  • Keeping devices updated with the latest operating systems
  • Managing privacy settings and using strong passwords
  • Requiring mobile security software
  • Enabling remote wipe and lock capabilities for lost or stolen devices
  • Monitoring email accounts to prevent viruses
  • Ensuring only approved applications are installed, with encrypted data

Conducting regular internal risk assessments

Proactive prevention is crucial in avoiding cybersecurity disasters. Regular audits and risk assessments identify vulnerabilities in security operations and employee compliance. Periodic evaluations ensure potential security risks are consistently monitored and addressed, helping healthcare providers avoid data breaches and associated penalties.

Evaluating security compliance of business partners

With healthcare information frequently transmitted between providers and business partners, all parties must ensure the protection of personal health information. Regular evaluations of business associates' security compliance are critical, holding all parties accountable and maintaining robust cybersecurity standards.

The threat landscape of the connected healthcare ecosystem

The global Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) market is predicted to witness a tremendous upsurge from $180.5 billion in 2021 to $960.2 billion in 2030 at a CAGR of 20.41%. This significant increase reflects the promising future of the smart healthcare ecosystem, driven by technological advancements, heightened awareness of self-health monitoring, patient engagement, and enhanced diagnostic capabilities. The pandemic and the rollout of 5G technology have further accelerated the adoption of IoT in healthcare.

Despite the promising outlook, this technological evolution brings with it serious security risks. Vulnerabilities in healthcare devices and corporate systems can compromise data security, creating opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit sensitive information. To counter these threats, healthcare organisations must adopt comprehensive strategies, including robust Identity and Access Management (IAM) and effective management of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), digital keys, and certificates.

However, implementing these practices is challenging due to the vast volume of records, extensive use of telemetry, and the involvement of third-party services such as pathology labs, imaging centres, and insurance providers, all of which require access to patient data. The high consumption of IoT devices by healthcare organisations further expands the threat landscape, increasing their vulnerability to cyberattacks.