It’s safe to say that the rise of cloud computing has positively impacted the healthcare sector. It’s done so by improving internal operations, connectivity within organisations, and overall enhancing patient care. The ability to grant access from even the most remote of locations is something we wouldn’t have even fathomed a few decades ago, so it’s no wonder that more and more healthcare organisations are migrating to the cloud, with a reported 15-21% of NHS trusts hosting some data off-site.
However, this migration to the cloud presents a new challenge to your organisation: heightened cybersecurity risks. The very features that make cloud computing so attractive – accessibility and remote data storage – also create new vulnerabilities for your business. Healthcare data, with its wealth of sensitive information, is a prime target for cybercriminals. As more NHS trusts and healthcare providers embrace cloud-based solutions, robust cloud security becomes paramount. Failing to do so can erode patient trust, lead to legal complications, and generate negative publicity.
Healthcare as a prime target
The rise in cyber-attacks on healthcare systems can be attributed to three key factors.
Firstly, cybercriminals are motivated by the high value of your healthcare organisation’s data, which can be exploited for financial gain through ransom demands or sold on the dark web. This data is rich with personal information, such as addresses, dates of birth, and medical histories, making it highly valuable for identity fraud. The comprehensive nature of healthcare data allows criminals to create detailed profiles for fraudulent activities. Additionally, the ransom demands for this sensitive information can be great, as they know that you’d be more inclined to pay to regain access to critical patient data and maintain operational continuity.
Compounding the issue of security is a significant skills gap in cloud technology. This is because it’s likely that your healthcare organisation lack the in-house expertise to effectively implement and manage advanced security measures for your cloud infrastructure. This lack of knowledge also extends to disaster recovery planning and execution. This creates a double threat: vulnerabilities remain unaddressed, and the ability to respond to security breaches or outages is hampered.
A rushed migration journey can also mean that security considerations are often overlooked, leading to vulnerabilities and easy access points. Often, we also see an over-reliance on public cloud solutions which may not offer the same level of security as private or hybrid solutions.
However, by taking these five proactive steps, you can both reap the benefits of the cloud and ensure its security for your healthcare organisation:
1. Cloud diversification
One of the most effective strategies to enhance cloud security is diversifying cloud infrastructure. In 2023, 75% percent of organisations indicated that more than 40% of their data stored in the cloud was sensitive, yet 11% only rely on a single cloud provider. The risk of this is cloud concentration, whereby your chance of an attack or downtime is increased as the risk isn’t spread across multiple cloud platforms. The solution to this is adopting a hybrid or multi-cloud approach, so if one component of the infrastructure goes wrong, the rest remains intact as opposed to the whole system going down. By distributing workloads and backups across different environments, you can reduce the impact of potential disasters or incidents.
2. Data recovery and backup strategies
Having a comprehensive data recovery and backup plan is essential for maintaining data integrity and availability. You should look for cloud providers that comply with industry regulations such as ISO/IEC 27001 to ensure secure and accessible backups of patient information. Regular backups, both on-site and off-site, and frequent testing of recovery procedures can help mitigate the impact of data loss or system outages. This proactive approach not only protects patient data but also upholds regulatory compliance standards!
3. The private cloud for the most critical data
Currently, healthcare organisations store the least amount of sensitive data in the cloud (47%), compared to all other industries (61%) for safeguarding reasons. However, the private cloud is arguably as secure as on-premises infrastructure and its benefits are superseded by offering greater flexibility and scalability. When compared to the public cloud, the private cloud allows for more customisable security measures, including stringent access controls and encryption. The dedicated infrastructure the private cloud provides reduces the risks associated with multi-tenancy and enhances control over data, which means it may be a better fit for your organisation’s infrastructure. By leveraging the security advantages of private cloud environments, you can better protect patient confidentiality and data integrity. Granted, the private cloud can be slightly more expensive than other cloud models, and the healthcare industry is confined by strict budgets, so this is a great example of how cloud diversification comes into play. You can opt for a private cloud model for the most sensitive data and opt for cheaper public cloud models for their less sensitive data.
4. Regular updates and maintenance of infrastructure
Consistent maintenance and timely updates are crucial for keeping IT infrastructure secure. Your healthcare IT team should ensure that all software and applications are up-to-date and that security patches are applied promptly. Regular maintenance not only helps prevent potential vulnerabilities from being exploited but also ensures that the IT system operates efficiently and reliably.
This ongoing vigilance is essential in a landscape where cyber threats are continually evolving. If you do not have access to an IT team or cloud team who can monitor in real-time, you can partner with a managed service provider (MSP) to monitor infrastructure on your behalf, improving uptime and spotting security concerns early on. MSPs can also be used during the migration journey to ensure a seamless transition.
5. Invest in security training and awareness
The human element is one of the most common root causes for breaches (74%), so it’s safe to say that human error remains a significant vulnerability in any security strategy. Investing in regular security training and awareness programmes for all staff members can help mitigate the risk of accidental breaches by fostering a culture of cyber vigilance. Ensuring that your employees understand the importance of data security, recognise potential threats, and follow best practices can significantly enhance the overall security posture of the organisation. A cyber-aware workforce means that threats are detected and mitigated more quickly, reducing the window of opportunity for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities and helping to prevent potential breaches before they can cause significant harm. Working with an MSP can come in handy here as they have the technical expertise to train staff and help close this knowledge gap.
As yours and other healthcare organisations continue to embrace cloud-based services to improve operational efficiency and patient care, it is imperative to prioritise cloud security. By diversifying cloud infrastructure, implementing robust data recovery and backup strategies, leveraging private cloud solutions, maintaining IT infrastructure, and investing in security training, you can protect sensitive data and ensure the continuity of critical services. Proactive security measures not only safeguard patient information but also uphold the reputation and operational integrity of healthcare providers in an increasingly digital world.
