The healthcare industry has evolved significantly in the past few decades. Almost all healthcare organizations hold confidential and sensitive information in electronic form. Cybersecurity in healthcare implies protecting electronic information and assets from unauthorized access, use, and disclosure. ‘CIA triad’ is a popular term to describe the three facets of cybersecurity–Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability of information.
Healthcare organizations are most vulnerable and frequently targeted by cyberattacks because they possess a lot of information of high monetary and intelligence value to hackers and malicious actors. The targeted data includes patients’ protected health information (PHI), financial information like credit card and bank account details, personally identifying information (PII) such as Social Security numbers, and intellectual property related to medical research and innovation.
The healthcare ecosystem is equipped with the latest technologies and hi-tech devices that connect to the internet or other shared networks to operate optimally. These include specialized hospital information systems such as EHR systems, e-prescribing systems, practice management support systems, clinical decision support systems, radiology information systems, and computerized physician order entry systems. Additionally, thousands of devices comprise the Internet of Things such as smart elevators, smart heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, infusion pumps, remote patient monitoring devices, and others.
Given the complexity of the IT infrastructure, managing, supervising, and protecting it is an arduous task.
Best Practices in Healthcare Cybersecurity
A cyber-thief spends every waking moment thinking about how to compromise cybersecurity procedures and controls. The best defense begins with elevating the issue of cyber risk as an enterprise and strategic issue. A dedicated resource that has sufficient authority, status, and independence to be effective in leading the information security program is highly recommended. Furthermore, the team should receive regular updates on the organization’s strategic cyber risk profile and whether adequate measures are dynamically taken to mitigate the constantly evolving cyber risk.
Risk assessments are the cornerstone of cybersecurity programs in healthcare. Risk should be assessed first before an action plan is implemented to help manage that risk. Risk must be evaluated based on factors such as probability of occurrence, impact on the organization, as well as its priority. Risk assessments can be conducted or reviewed regularly and at least once per year.
Hospitals, on the other hand, are at risk of device compromise. Medical devices are vulnerable to security breaches, potentially impacting the safety and effectiveness of the device. The hospital infrastructure is complex, and manufacturers, hospital staff, and facilities must work together to manage cybersecurity risks.
For example:
Medical device manufacturers (MDMs) and healthcare delivery organizations (HDOs) should take steps to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place.
• Medical device manufacturers (MDMs) are responsible for remaining vigilant about identifying risks and hazards associated with their medical devices, including cyberattacks.
• Healthcare delivery organizations (HDOs) should evaluate their network security and protect their hospital systems.
• Both MDMs and HDOs are responsible for addressing patient safety risks, ensuring proper device performance and uninterrupted uptime.
A robust incident response plan can boost cybersecurity in healthcare so that any security incidents that occur are either blocked or tackled in a timely and expeditious manner.
Finally, the most important defense is to inculcate a patient safety-focused culture of cybersecurity. It allows healthcare organizations to leverage their existing culture of patient care and extend it to the culture of cybersecurity. Such a hybrid approach, where the staff members view themselves as proactive defenders of patients and their data, will have a tremendous impact in mitigating cyber risk to the organization and to patients.
Sources:
Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society