Managing Hardware Related Risks in Healthcare

The healthcare industry is a vital component of a nation’s critical infrastructure. The various entities that make up the healthcare sector perform tasks ranging from day-to-day activities to life-saving operations. But while the majority of us depend on the industry for our well-being, malicious cyber actors view healthcare delivery organizations (HDOs) as attractive targets. From their mass data collection to their low tolerance for downtime, HDOs are the perfect victims. Further, as the COVID pandemic overwhelmed the industry, several new vulnerabilities arose, which cybercriminals exploited.

Despite the industry’s high susceptibility to cyberattacks, HDOs tend to undertake a weak approach to cybersecurity. The lack of sufficient measures often stems from budgetary constraints and competing priorities. But, for many HDOs, the main cost of cybersecurity is its disruptiveness; additional barriers and protocols take time away from providing patient care. Nevertheless, with the industry so reliant on technology, cybersecurity has a direct effect on patient care.