It’s no secret that the healthcare industry has gone digital. Medical records are stored in computers instead of filing cabinets, medical devices can be monitored from miles away, and even ACLS certification can be obtained online. However, with this digital approach comes the threat of cyber attacks, a threat that increases significantly during times of public health emergencies.
Bioterrorism, global public health emergencies and even mass shootings such as the recent Las Vegas tragedy strike at random. There is no telling when the next mass Ebola outbreak or Salmonella attack might occur, or what form that health emergency might take.
Unfortunately, opportunities for cyber attacks increase significantly during these crises. This is largely due to the extra strain on the system as well as the additional people using it. Volunteers and staff members working in a system for the first time mean well, but unfamiliarity with IT security protocols can easily create gaps and loopholes to exploit in what is otherwise a sound system.
Criminals might look to exploit the medical system for any number of reasons. Some attackers might be looking to commit identity theft or run online scams; others might use the information to access bank accounts or obtain prescriptions for controlled substances. Still, other hackers might be thinking on a grander scale, perhaps working to gain access to sensitive information such as pharmaceutical production or routes.
The best way to prevent these potential attacks is to prepare for them well in advance. There are several steps your company can take to be ready in case of the dangerous combination of healthcare emergencies and cyber attacks.
1. Update health emergency plans to factor in a cyber element
Health emergency plans exist for a reason; they mitigate the strain of an already over stressful situation. Allow that security and peace of mind to be in place by developing your plan to protect your organisation‘s information and to watch for any potential breaches before a disaster strikes on a cyber level. In addition to the health emergency plan, consider developing a comprehensive risk management plan to account for various threat levels and other gaps in security that could leave your organisation vulnerable.
2. Watch for potential breaches during times of heightened operations
Heightened operations are a good test run for full-blown crises. By paying attention to potential breaches here, your organisation will be better prepared for weaknesses that may occur when operating on a larger scale.
3. Integrate the IT countermeasures department more with the healthcare professionals who will be dealing with potential crises
One of the best ways to prepare is to force the healthcare and the IT aspects of your business together before the situation does that for you. The more these two seemly very separate departments are comfortable working together before the threat has a chance to strike, the better chance your organisation has of escaping an attack unscathed.
As part of this interdepartmental dependence, remember that security processes and protocols must be followed, even when disaster brings chaos to a normally orderly and calm medical centre.
4. Consistently re-evaluate procedures and threats
While it’s a great start to complete the previous steps, it’s just that ”a start. Effective defences require constant vigilance. It’s important to keep in mind that even though the systems we use are constantly evolving and technology is consistently upgrading, the cyber threat is evolving just as quickly. Complacency is one of the cyber attacker’s favourite qualities in a target. Re-evaluate processes on a regular basis.
The threat facing the healthcare industry appears nigh insurmountable, but it’s important to remember that you are not alone in this fight. Governments on all levels, as well as those in the private sectors, are constantly working to be better prepared for the threat of cyber attacks during public health crises.
