IT & CYBER SECURITY FOR the HEALTHCARE sector

IT & Security Challenges Facing the Healthcare Sector

We understand the complexities of healthcare technology, serving a range of institutions including hospitals, private practices, research institutions, and biotech companies. 

In this experience, we understand that healthcare is complex; business systems are often fragmented due to differing regulatory requirements, those working behind the scenes often have to quickly implement new policies and processes, and legacy systems can at times, encumber much-needed progress. 
Arguably, of all the sectors, those operating in the healthcare industry are perhaps best placed to gain the most from the benefits of digital transformation. 

Interoperability Between Systems 

The challenge of ensuring various IT systems and software applications can communicate, exchange data, and use the exchanged data is paramount. 

Data Volume Management 

Managing the explosion of healthcare data, which includes not just patient records but also telemetry from connected devices, is crucial. 

Regulatory Compliance and Patient Confidentiality 

Keeping up with changing regulatory requirements can be burdensome but is crucial for legal operation and maintaining patient trust – especially adherence to stringent industry GDPR standards. 

High Availability and Reliability 

Ensuring that critical healthcare applications are always accessible, especially in life-threatening scenarios (where every second counts), it’s critical. 

Remote Device Management 

With healthcare professionals increasingly relying on mobile devices to access and record patient data, ensuring these devices are secure is paramount. 

Legacy Systems and Modernisation 

Balancing the integration of new technologies while maintaining existing legacy systems without sacrificing performance and security, is an increasing challenge for many healthcare providers. 

User Experience and Training 

Providing an interface that is intuitive for healthcare providers while also adhering to stringent healthcare and IT standards and security protocols, is often a complex balancing act. 

Resource Allocation 

The prioritisation of IT expenditures in an environment where resources are often tight and must be allocated among various essential needs, (from patient care to equipment to IT), often means digital requirements need to be as streamlined as possible. 

Data, Storage, Protection, Privacy, and Transmission 

Protecting patient data across multiple touchpoints and ensuring secure storage and transmission is becoming an ever-growing challenge due to the rate at which technology is changing. 

Third Party Risks 

With an increasing risk in the supply chain, many healthcare organisations need to monitor the security of both their own internal infrastructure, and that of their suppliers – a growing challenge for many healthcare organisations.