Today, cybersecurity healthcare is a global concern. Of all other industries, healthcare should take note of cybersecurity. Or else, it can shut things down. Why?
Read on to learn more.
Why Cybersecurity Healthcare
When cyberattacks hit other industries, they can stop or delay how things work. But in healthcare, it can be a matter of life or death.
In fact, 2020 made a history of the first reported cyber attack-related death. Duesseldorf University Hospital in Germany experienced a ransomware attack. At that time, they couldn’t accept emergency patients.
So, a woman who needed immediate care had to be sent to a health care facility around 20 miles away. But, she did not survive.
For many years, healthcare is one of the biggest targets for cyberattacks. Yet, most hospitals are still not prepared. It even lags behind other industries when they need it the most.
Hospitals now rely on Internet-connected medical devices, such as radiology tools. And without these tools, they can’t treat patients.
But if they malfunction because of an attack, it can put patients’ lives at risk.
Experts expect that attacks will continue to rise this year. So, all of us should prepare for it. Granted, there’s something we can do.
If any, we need to know about the basic practices. So, we can protect our information.
For hospitals, they can protect their data, devices, and most importantly, their patients.
In this article, we will consider the cybersecurity healthcare trends in 2021. So, we’ll know how to protect information.
Cybersecurity Healthcare Trends
Real-time analytics
Analytics is a key player in most industries. Besides, it helps give the best customer service.
In healthcare, it improves health management and work efficiency. For example, they can understand which services patients prefer.
Now, real-time analytics became more powerful. For one, it helps hospitals detect advanced threats earlier. So, they can take action to fight against them.
Network segmentation
Network segmentation means separating each network. So when an attack is detected, it can contain the infection to one subnet only.
Today, it is also being used in the healthcare industry. How so?
It allows putting control levels of access. So, hospitals can assign those who have the right to access information.
As a result, they can comply with the law. Such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
Medical device cybersecurity healthcare regulations
As mentioned, many hospitals now rely on devices that connect to the INternet. For example, infusion pumps, pacemakers, and insulin pumps. Now, hospitals need to make report cards for these devices. Why?
Internet-connected devices mean that it’s at risk for hackers. So, the European Union commands all hospitals to follow the GDPR requirements.
For one, it needs to pass requirements first. Before it becomes available for sale in the market.
Biometrics
Like any other industry, healthcare also explores biometrics now. And pharma companies are leading in this trend.
Biometrics gives extra layers of security. For example, they need to input the following factors first
- iris recognition
- face recognition
- voice identification
- fingerprints
So, they can identify and authenticate patients and employees.
