The Importance of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and Collaboration in Healthcare>
Express Healthcare Management – Jaishankar Chigurula
To enhance cybersecurity measures in healthcare organizations, it is recommended to adopt a structured approach and utilize the NIST Cybersecurity Framework provided by the U.S.
Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology.
This framework offers a standardized and comprehensive approach to managing and reducing cybersecurity risks.
Collaboration within the healthcare industry is crucial, with healthcare Chief Information Officers (CIOs) seeking integrated and end-to-end solutions for risk reduction.
Instead of fragmented point solutions, they are looking for cohesive cybersecurity tools and services that work seamlessly together, aiming for a holistic approach to cybersecurity.
Smaller hospitals with limited IT resources face unique challenges in cybersecurity.
They are increasingly turning to service solutions from vendors, such as managed detection and response, to access expertise and support without requiring extensive in-house cybersecurity teams.
These services provide personalized and hands-on approaches to cybersecurity.
Even healthcare facilities with substantial IT staff and in-house cybersecurity experts should not become overly confident.
Employing external advisors to assess systems from fresh perspectives is highly valued.
Regular audits and assessments can help identify vulnerabilities and potential risks that internal teams may overlook.
Ransomware attacks continue to be a significant threat in the healthcare sector.
While preventing such attacks entirely may be challenging, organizations are shifting their focus towards rapid recovery.
Swift restoration of critical systems and data has become a top priority, emphasizing the transition from data backup to ensuring fast recovery from backups.
The expansion of threat surfaces and adaptive resilience are major concerns in healthcare cybersecurity.
With an increasing number of employees working remotely and the growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) in healthcare, there are more opportunities for attackers to infiltrate health systems.
Healthcare institutions are diversifying their data protection strategies by utilizing tiered resiliency, ensuring multiple copies of data are available on the primary array for rapid restoration, and making the data less vulnerable to cyberattacks.
In conclusion, adopting the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, fostering collaboration, and implementing effective cybersecurity strategies are crucial for healthcare organizations to mitigate risks and safeguard sensitive data.
Link: https://www.expresshealthcaremgmt.com/news2/trends-and-tips-in-healthcare-cybersecurity/179586/