The healthcare sector is witnessing rapid digital transformation, and while flashier trends like interoperability, digitalisation and connectivity are important, one of the key areas that’s often overlooked is security. This is down to the fast-paced nature of the healthcare sector, where agility and change are important, leading to increased spending on bringing solutions to market, and reduced focus on security due to ad-hoc delivery.
Despite this, protecting patient data is still a vital consideration that will allow providers to improve their services. This applies even more post-pandemic, with digital services being used more frequently. McKinsey research found 86% of international healthcare experts believe digital health eco systems will generate significant economic impact, while 82% believe they’re a crucial offering for existing customers.
That said, providers will need to address several security challenges to ensure that the smart health devices of digital transformation projects aren’t hacked, and that vital healthcare data is protected. This becomes even more important when considering the ageing global population.
Healthcare data needs to be secured
Dark web activity has risen over 300% since 2017, with more sophisticated technologies being integrated into criminal markets. This arms would-be hackers with greater anonymity and presents security challenges for providers, with the healthcare sector accounting for a third of security breaches last year, leading to 1.5 billion users’ personally identifiable information (PII) being compromised in the US alone. Most breaches occur due to hackers gaining access through third-party vendors, with the average cost per breach amounting to $6.45 million.
These data leaks cause considerable harm to patients, with identity theft leading to false medical claims and other financial repercussions. Organisations are also being affected, with potential fines and other legal consequences resulting from the mishandling of patient data, damaging the trust placed in healthcare providers. For example, the recent data breach involving the NHS lead to thousands of patient records being leaked, causing speculation on fines and even criminal proceedings, despite reports of these leaks being unintentional.
Patients need to be protected
Data breaches are a nightmare for any organisation, but the consequences of neglecting cybersecurity also extend to the quality of care – and the health of patients by extension. Maintaining appropriate standards of care requires functioning health devices, whether they’re hearing aids, insulin pumps, pacemakers, or others from a range of technologies that are often medical requirements.
These devices form an ecosystem connected to the Internet of Things, which means hacking one device renders the entire network vulnerable, presenting far more dangerous and even fatal consequences for patients. Once hackers gain access, they’ll be able to grab digital health records, launch ransomware attacks, and release viruses that will disrupt the operation of devices.
Hackers can also intercept and edit data from medical tests, causing doctors to prescribe incorrect treatments leading to health complications. It also problematises radiology, as evidence of harmful diseases like cancer could be removed from analysis results, leaving both doctors and patients unaware of severe health risks.
These challenges are compounded by an ageing global population. Research from the World Health Organisation suggests the proportion of those over 60 will nearly double from 12%-22% by 2050, while the number of those over 80 is expected to triple over the same period. Moreover, two-thirds of the elderly population will be living in low or middle-income countries which may lack adequate healthcare standards.
Digital adoption holds the potential to benefit this group significantly, with solutions like healthcare robotics aiding with assisted living and end-of-life care, prolonging personal independence, and reducing the pressure on public health services. However, the increasing use of assistive technology and digital transformation also provides another security entry point for hackers, which means these devices could also be compromised. Aged care providers have already become a preferred target of cyber criminals, with approximately $40 billion being stolen from elderly patients every year in the US alone.
How to protect patient data
Overlooking cybersecurity could jeopardise healthtech innovation, as a small number of data breaches, device failures, or patient deaths could prevent further consideration of digital adoption, leaving health services without an essential series of healthcare tools. This could apply even if providers were to have hundreds of success stories, so it’s essential that robust, trustworthy security protocols are established, and that cyber resilience conversations start happening in healthcare.
That said, selecting the right solutions can be difficult, and providers will need to consult tech SMEs who can help navigate the security landscape and build robust, dependable device ecosystems. Security technology employs several methods to protect patient data, including data encryption, system monitoring, and anti-virus software. By adopting the right tech and providing quality training, healthcare organisations will protect their data, and deliver the best possible care to patients in need.
By Bipin Bhaskar, Client Partner, Digital Engineering, Persistent Systems
