Why is Cyber Security Important in Healthcare?

Healthcare organisations provide an essential service that can have serious consequences if disrupted by a cyber attack, potentially endangering patient safety, disrupting care delivery and even leading to loss of life. In the event of a security incident, the fallout would not just impact the victim organisation but also their patients and overall national security. 

Public Health Impact 

Any disruption or compromise of a healthcare organisation’s systems could prevent them from assuring patient care, treatment delivery, and public safety. 

For example, a successful ransomware attack could prevent the organisation from accessing vital medical records or operating life-saving devices due to a ransomware virus holding them hostage. Such a scenario would severely impede a clinician’s ability to provide effective patient care and it may take some time – often weeks – to resume normal operations.  

Sensitive Data Handling 

Healthcare organisations process vast amounts of sensitive and confidential patient data, including medical records, treatment histories, and personal information. Protecting this data from unauthorised access, disclosure, or manipulation is paramount to maintaining patient privacy and confidentiality. 

An attacker gaining access to this data not only presents the risk of data theft, but may also lead to them intentionally or unintentionally altering patient data. This could ultimately lead to clinician’s misdiagnosing their patients, which comes with a host of associated risks. 

Service Availability 

Continuous and uninterrupted access to healthcare services is essential for patient wellbeing and the effective functioning of the healthcare system. Cyber attacks targeting healthcare infrastructure or systems can disrupt service delivery, leading to treatment delays, appointment cancellations, and potentially life-threatening situations. 

While it may feel like a distant memory, patient outcomes were put at risk during the May 2017 "WannaCry" ransomware attack on National Health Service (NHS) computer systems. This attack led to ambulances being diverted and surgeries being cancelled, underscoring the direct impact cyber threats can have on healthcare delivery and patient wellbeing. 

Interconnected Healthcare Systems and Digital Infrastructure 

The interconnected nature of healthcare systems and digital infrastructure increases their complexity and susceptibility to cyber threats. Healthcare organisations rely on interconnected networks, medical devices, and information systems to deliver care, communicate with healthcare professionals and exchange patient data. 

Any vulnerabilities within these interconnected systems can be exploited by malicious actors to launch cyber attacks and infiltrate critical healthcare infrastructure. The highly connected nature of these systems also increases the risk of a compromise in one location moving laterally to other parts of the network, leading to further consequences beyond the initial compromise. An attack could expose a weakness in a medical device such as an ECG, for example, which could later lead to attackers having access to the wider network and an entry point to wider healthcare records. 

National Security Implications 

Cyber attacks against healthcare organisations – especially the NHS - can have broader national security implications, affecting the resilience and stability of the healthcare sector as well as undermining public trust and confidence in government institutions. As a cornerstone of the UK's social fabric and public services, protecting the NHS from cyber threats is integral to safeguarding national security interests. 

Why is Cyber Security Important for Medical Devices? 

Unlike regular computers, medical devices often lack robust security features which can make them more susceptible to compromise. These devices often rely on hard-coded and widely known passwords and they may not be easily patchable or updatable.  

Complicating matters further, the diversity of manufacturers and distribution channels results in a lack of standardised security controls, including passwords, encryption, and tracking of device handling. The primary security risk lies in the potential exposure of both data and device control, creating a delicate balance between safety and security that demands collaborative efforts across stakeholders, particularly in implementation and maintenance strategies. 

Healthcare organisations must prioritise and invest in securing these devices, recognising that older medical devices were not initially designed with cyber security in mind and are challenging to secure properly. The proliferation of newly connected devices exacerbates pre-existing vulnerabilities, underscoring the importance of securing medical devices to mitigate operational disruptions and safeguard patient safety and privacy. 

How to Secure Healthcare Organisations