Security in Healthcare

The healthcare industry has become a prime target for cybercriminals. A familiarity with old technology, financial restrictions and overworked staff mean healthcare organisations have struggled to update cyber security infrastructure.

To make matters worse, the international Covid-19 pandemic has made national medical institutions targets for state-sponsored actors as well as individual cybercriminal groups. Healthcare organisations hold vast repositories of sensitive patient data, operate critical life-sustaining systems, and face enormous pressure to maintain uptime — all of which make them particularly attractive and vulnerable targets.

Cyber Citadel recommends a three-pronged approach to cyber security in the healthcare industry: identify vulnerabilities, prioritise critical risks and invest in cyber security. By understanding where the weaknesses lie, focusing resources on the areas of greatest risk, and committing to sustained investment in security capabilities, healthcare organisations can significantly reduce their exposure to cyber threats and protect the patients and communities they serve.