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Five prevalent erroneous approaches in the surveillance of security systems within the healthcare sector

Healthcare institutions can benefit from collaborative efforts to resolve challenges and bolster their strategic plans. Here's how a strategic partner can fortify their approach.

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Frequent Blunders in Healthcare Security Surveillance
Frequent Blunders in Healthcare Security Surveillance

Five prevalent erroneous approaches in the surveillance of security systems within the healthcare sector

In the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare, securing patient data has become a paramount concern. Traditional approaches to security, such as siloed monitoring and an absence of written policies, have proven ineffective, leading to prolonged downtime and gaps in resource continuity [1]. To address these challenges, Managed Detection and Response (MDR) has emerged as a potential solution.

MDR services can provide an additional layer of human capacity to address potential threats, beyond what endpoint detection and response (EDR) can offer. This combination can offer security innovation within the healthcare industry, ensuring the continuity of care, including keeping heart monitors working and IVs dripping [10].

Healthcare organizations often grapple with hundreds of thousands of endpoints, extending beyond hospital walls. This complexity, coupled with tight budgets and staffing shortages, makes it essential for them to rely on partners for managed detection and response [8].

The top three cyberthreats facing healthcare organizations today are ransomware attacks, phishing attacks, and third-party and insider threats [5]. Ransomware continues to be a predominant threat, often resulting in the encryption of critical healthcare data that disrupts operations and compromises patient care [2]. Phishing remains one of the most common and damaging attack vectors, leading to unauthorized access and data breaches affecting hundreds of thousands of patient records [3]. Third-party and insider threats, such as misconfigured cloud storage and former employees with valid credentials, pose significant risks to patient data [1].

To combat these threats, MDR partners should offer round-the-clock monitoring capabilities with the ability to recognise indicators of exposure and begin researching problems [7]. They should also begin information gathering, problem validation, and preparation of a cohesive problem statement and response or recovery recommendation before notifying the client [6].

Established runbooks and playbooks are essential for MDR partners to avoid requiring healthcare organizations to build them from scratch [9]. Moreover, a crucial requirement for an MDR partner in healthcare is low-impact technology that doesn't hinder clinical performance [4].

Security in healthcare should be seen as a reward rather than a penalty during the rollout of new technology or processes [11]. Regular internal communication and role assignment in healthcare organizations is crucial for effective response to unexpected downtime [1].

A checklist for four steps for healthcare security leaders can help them sleep better at night by providing a comprehensive approach to security [3]. These steps include understanding the top three cyberthreats facing healthcare organizations today, fostering growth in team members, and considering bringing on a partner to help with cybersecurity challenges.

In conclusion, MDR can enhance patient data protection efforts in healthcare organizations, providing a proactive approach to security that can help mitigate the risks posed by the top cyberthreats in the industry today. By partnering with MDR providers, healthcare organizations can focus on their primary mission of providing quality care, while leaving the security concerns to the experts.

References: [1] Healthcare IT News. (2021). Healthcare's most common cybersecurity mistakes. Retrieved from https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/healthcares-most-common-cybersecurity-mistakes

[2] Cybersecurity Dive. (2021). Cloverhill Medical Group hit by ransomware attack. Retrieved from https://cybersecuritydive.com/news/cloverhill-medical-group-hit-by-ransomware-attack/681064/

[3] HealthITSecurity. (2021). Phishing attacks on healthcare continue to rise amid remote work. Retrieved from https://healthitsecurity.com/news/phishing-attacks-on-healthcare-continue-to-rise-amid-remote-work

[4] Becker's Health IT & CIO Review. (2021). Phishing attacks: How healthcare providers can stay secure. Retrieved from https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/phishing-attacks-how-healthcare-providers-can-stay-secure.html

[5] HealthITSecurity. (2021). The top 3 cybersecurity threats facing healthcare today. Retrieved from https://healthitsecurity.com/news/the-top-3-cybersecurity-threats-facing-healthcare-today

[6] HealthITSecurity. (2021). MDR services: What healthcare organizations should know. Retrieved from https://healthitsecurity.com/news/mdr-services-what-healthcare-organizations-should-know

[7] HealthITSecurity. (2021). MDR services: What healthcare organizations should know. Retrieved from https://healthitsecurity.com/news/mdr-services-what-healthcare-organizations-should-know

[8] HealthITSecurity. (2021). MDR services: What healthcare organizations should know. Retrieved from https://healthitsecurity.com/news/mdr-services-what-healthcare-organizations-should-know

[9] HealthITSecurity. (2021). MDR services: What healthcare organizations should know. Retrieved from https://healthitsecurity.com/news/mdr-services-what-healthcare-organizations-should-know

[10] HealthITSecurity. (2021). MDR services: What healthcare organizations should know. Retrieved from https://healthitsecurity.com/news/mdr-services-what-healthcare-organizations-should-know

[11] HealthITSecurity. (2021). Security in healthcare: A reward, not a penalty. Retrieved from https://healthitsecurity.com/news/security-in-healthcare-a-reward-not-a-penalty

  1. To ensure the smooth functioning of heart monitors and IVs, while combating the growing risks of cyber threats, it is crucial for healthcare organizations to leverage technology advancements in cybersecurity, such as Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services.
  2. Amidst the tight budgets and staffing shortages that healthcare organizations frequently face, incorporating low-impact MDR technology can significantly enhance security measures, thereby ensuring patient care is not compromised by cyber threats.

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