Did you know that, according to the Health and Human Services database, healthcare data breaches impacted over 31 million individuals in the first half of 2024 alone? And these are just the reported incidents!

The true extent of unreported cases remains a mystery. This highlights a significant issue of increasing data breaches and their destructive effects on the healthcare system. Let’s delve into why this is happening.

Advancing Digitization

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically increased the adoption of digitized services and technology in various industries, including healthcare. Electronic health records, telemedicine, and other digital tools have become widely used in the healthcare sector, making it more vulnerable to cybersecurity threats. One crucial aspect of a healthcare organization’s cybersecurity strategy is Identity and Access Management (IAM). However, implementing an IAM system is a short-term solution; it requires regular updates and improvements to protect against evolving threats effectively.

The Rising Tide of Cyber Threats in Healthcare

The healthcare sector has skyrocketed to become one of the most heavily targeted industries. It’s no surprise, considering the vast amounts of sensitive data healthcare organizations hold, including personal, financial, and crucial health information. This data is precious on the dark web, making healthcare systems prime targets for cybercriminals.

Ransomware attacks, data breaches, and phishing incidents against healthcare providers have increased in frequency and complexity. Hackers are continually discovering new ways to exploit security vulnerabilities, making it imperative that healthcare organizations maintain high vigilance to counter these threats.

Role of IAM in Healthcare Security

IAM systems are the bodyguards of sensitive data. They ensure that access to some resources is restricted only to specific people, adding a significant security layer to prevent intruders, breaches, or other security incidents. But the IAM platform is as robust as its weakest link; any IAM system that remains unpatched and unmaintained can rapidly become out of date and vulnerable to attack.

Continuous updates are needed in IAM because not all new threats that emerge at a given time are essential. With cyber threats changing daily, what might have been secure yesterday would not necessarily be safe tomorrow. Regular updating would enable IAM systems to deal with the latest threats and safeguard organizational interests from new, emerging risks.

Regulatory Compliance

The health domain is hugely regulated, with consequential data protection and privacy provisions. For example, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) require that all healthcare organizations provide adequate security. With constant updates to the IAM, an individual is assured of being within such regulations, thus avoiding any possible fines and costs associated with reputation.

It maintains system integrity. IAM systems are complex, consisting of many diverse components that must interoperate flawlessly. Regular updates and maintenance identify and fix vulnerabilities, improving system performance and ensuring integrity throughout the security infrastructure.

Reducing Risks from Insider Threats

Not all the threats are from outside. The damage done by insider threats, whether done purposefully or inadvertently, can be just as harmful. On a continued basis, IAM updates to improve overall risk mitigation through updating controls related to access and may ensure that any suspicious activity is identified and matched up for action.

Why Being Proactive is Important

The threat aspect changes fast, and healthcare organizations must be very proactive. I just wanted to let you know that starting to update your IAM system when a breach occurs is not an afterthought; on the contrary, this requires a proactive approach. Regular updates, patches, and maintenance are vital in keeping cybercriminals at bay and maintaining control over an organization’s security.

This can be achieved specifically through an update and maintenance model based on subscription for IAM. With continuous service investment, healthcare organizations can ensure their IAM systems are up-to-date, compliant with the latest regulations, and secure against the latest threats. This enhances security and provides peace of mind, knowing that your organization is doing all it can to protect sensitive data.

Conclusion

It’s perfect timing for the healthcare industry to face its ideal storm of cybersecurity challenges. The security measures guarding sensitive patient data should be on an equal footing—dancing to the shifting cyber threats in the background. This makes the constant updating of IAM core to the security and integrity of health systems. Health entities can save their data and themselves from non-compliance fines by actively handling IAM maintenance and updates.

Continuous IAM updates are an investment in your organization’s security future. The system cannot afford to wait, so it should be prepared for threats whenever they arise.