Healthcare

An industry concerned with the provision of medical services, products, and equipment for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases.

Threats & Risks

Natural Disasters

Natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods can damage healthcare facilities, resulting in patient care disruptions, supply chain disruptions, and revenue losses.

Physical Security Incidents

Healthcare facilities can be vulnerable to physical security incidents such as theft, vandalism, and workplace violence. These incidents can result in patient safety concerns, facility damage, and reputational damage.

Infrastructure Failures

Healthcare facilities rely on complex infrastructure systems such as HVAC, power, and water supply systems. Failures in these systems can result in facility damage, patient care disruptions, and revenue losses.

Infectious Disease Outbreaks

Infectious disease outbreaks such as COVID-19 can result in patient care disruptions, facility closures, and revenue losses.

Ransomware Attacks

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts data on a computer or network, rendering it inaccessible until a ransom is paid. Healthcare providers are a popular target for ransomware attacks, as they often need immediate access to patient data to deliver care.

Phishing

Phishing is a type of cyber attack in which an attacker sends an email or other electronic message that appears to be from a trusted source, such as a healthcare provider. The message typically contains a link or attachment that, when clicked, installs malware or steals sensitive information.

Insider Threats

Healthcare organizations must be vigilant against insider threats, which can include employees who intentionally or unintentionally compromise the security of patient data. This can include employees who use weak passwords, share login credentials, or inadvertently download malware.

Medical Device Security

Healthcare providers are increasingly using connected medical devices such as infusion pumps, heart monitors, and imaging equipment. These devices can be vulnerable to cyber attacks, potentially putting patient safety at risk.

Insider Threats

Employees and contractors with access to patient data may intentionally or unintentionally misuse or disclose sensitive information. This can include employees who steal data for personal gain, or those who inadvertently expose data through human error.

Third-Party Risks

Healthcare organizations often work with third-party vendors, such as cloud service providers or medical equipment manufacturers, who may have access to sensitive data. These vendors may be vulnerable to data breaches themselves, which can result in the exposure of healthcare data.

Legacy Systems

Many healthcare organizations rely on legacy systems that may not have been designed with modern security features in mind. These systems can be more vulnerable to cyber-attacks and may be difficult to patch or update.

Physical Theft or Loss

Healthcare organizations must also guard against physical theft or loss of data, such as lost or stolen laptops or smartphones.

System Outages

Healthcare organizations rely on a range of IT systems, including electronic health records (EHRs), medical imaging systems, and communication systems. System outages can result in disruptions to patient care and delays in treatment.

Human Error

Human error, such as accidental deletion of data, can result in the loss of critical IT systems and data, resulting in disruptions to patient care and operational disruptions.

Equipment Failure

IT equipment, such as servers, routers, and switches, can fail due to a range of factors, including hardware failures, power outages, and software bugs. Equipment failures can result in disruptions to patient care and operational disruptions

Supply Chain Disruptions

Healthcare organizations rely on a range of suppliers and vendors to deliver medical supplies, equipment, and medications. Disruptions in the supply chain, such as shortages or delays, can affect patient care and operations.

Human Resource Issues

Healthcare organizations rely on a range of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and support staff. Human resource issues, such as staff shortages, can affect patient care and operations.

Legal and Regulatory Compliance Issues

Healthcare organizations must comply with a range of legal and regulatory requirements, such as HIPAA and other privacy laws. Non-compliance can result in fines, legal action, and reputational damage.

Standards Compliance Requirement

Standards	Requirement	Clauses
ISO 45001	Occupational Health & Safety management system	6.1.2.1 – Hazard identification 8.2 Emergency Preparedness and Response
ISO 14001	Environmental Management Standard	8.2 Emergency Preparedness and Response
ISO 27001:2022	Information Security Management System (ISMS)	5.24 – Information security incident management planning and preparation 5.26 Response to information security incidents
HIPAA		45 CFR 164.308(a)(5) – Security Training and Awareness