Digital technologies make it easier and more efficient to deliver patient care and provide better outcomes. However, the rise of digital technologies and the growing interconnectedness between different healthcare systems come with increasing healthcare cybersecurity threats.
Weak cybersecurity measures expose companies to serious risk. Victim companies suffer operationally, as systems are rendered unusable. In addition, it affects your reputation, because customers lose trust. And, since the regulators are strict, they end up legally affected, too.
The healthcare industry is particularly vulnerable because it uses extremely sensitive data. For example, pharmaceutical companies store proprietary scientific data and intellectual property. Medical device companies develop systems that interface such devices with physician, patient, and medical entity data collection.
Additionally, operational functions are often literally matters of life and death. Breaches in healthcare and pharma cost more than those in almost any other industry.
After Covid-19, healthcare cybersecurity risk is higher than ever
Cyberattacks grabbed headlines throughout 2021 as hacking and IT incidents affected government agencies, major companies, and even supply chains for essential goods, like gasoline. For healthcare, this year was even more turbulent as cybercriminals took advantage of hospitals and healthcare systems responding to the Covid-19 pandemic.
More than one health care provider was forced to cancel surgeries, radiology exams, and other services, because their systems, software, and/or networks had been disabled
The COVID-19 crisis will continue to test the resiliency of the global healthcare industry.
What can healthcare organizations do to address the challenges?
Strategies include the following:
- Implementing cybersecurity technology
- Building a talent pool of professionals skilled in healthcare cybersecurity. Do you know about cybersecurity skills?
- Developing a healthcare cybersecurity strategy focused on patient privacy protection
- Addressing vulnerabilities in legacy systems in healthcare
- Keeping tabs of new developments to understand information technology (IT) challenges
By introducing cybersecurity as a value proposition and formulating clear action plans, healthcare organizations can meet cybercriminals fully armed — and give them a worthy response. See how Soffid can help you stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving digital world. Let’s talk!
Sources:
(1) Security Magazine
(2) Contentsecurity.com
(3) Infosecuritymagazine
(4) Forbes
Imagen:Foto de doctor feliz creado por pressfoto – www.freepik.es
