Cybersecurity in Healthcare insights: 27th Nov- 3rd Dec 2025

 

New US federal security standards prompt healthcare cybersecurity overhaul

Proposed updates to federal healthcare cybersecurity standards, introduced in late 2024, represent the first major overhaul of the HIPAA Security Rule in decades. These changes, aimed at addressing modern threats like AI and quantum computing, mandate that HIPAA-covered entities implement rigorous measures such as data encryption, multifactor authentication, and regular security audits.

Crucially, they also require written procedures to restore critical systems within 72 hours of an incident. While necessary, compliance comes with a steep price tag, HHS estimates first-year costs at approximately $9 billion. This financial burden poses a significant challenge for smaller hospitals lacking the resources of large health systems.

To bridge this gap, experts suggest leveraging staff augmentation through managed service providers (MSPs) and adopting AI-driven threat detection tools to enhance security without exponentially increasing headcount.  

Read the original article at: https://hitconsultant.net/2025/06/09/healthcares-cybersecurity-overhaul-navigating-the-new-federal-security-standards-for-hospitals/

Health systems target cyber-resilience to strengthen front-line defences

Given the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks, health systems are shifting their cybersecurity focus from mere prevention to cyber resilience. This strategy accepts that breaches are often unavoidable and emphasizes the capacity to withstand, respond to, and recover from attacks while minimizing disruption to patient care.

Key elements of this resilience approach include:

  • Enhanced Front-Line Defenses: Implementing robust endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions.

  • Comprehensive Staff Training: Ensuring that clinical personnel, not just the IT team, are proficient in downtime procedures.

  • Sustaining Critical Functions: The primary goal is to keep essential hospital operations running during a cyber event to safeguard patient safety.

  • Protecting Connected Devices (IoMT): Requiring closer collaboration between clinical engineering and IT security to secure the expanding network of connected medical devices, which are common entry points for attackers.

Read the original article at: https://healthsystemcio.com/2025/05/21/strengthening-the-front-lines-health-systems-zero-in-on-cyber-resilience/

Boards urged to take more active role in cybersecurity governance

Corporate boards must elevate cybersecurity from an IT concern to a core component of corporate governance, according to a recent Harvard Business Review article. Directors are now expected to move beyond merely listening to actively overseeing cyber risk. This requires asking tough questions about the organization's risk tolerance, its preparedness for incident response, and the potential business ramifications of a breach.

The article highlights a common challenge: boards often lack the specific expertise needed to effectively challenge management on cybersecurity matters. To address this gap, boards should consider appointing members with dedicated cybersecurity backgrounds or bringing in external, independent advisors.

Active governance means treating cyber risk with the same disciplined rigor as financial or legal risk. This includes regular reporting that converts technical metrics into clear assessments of business exposure.

 

Read the original article at: https://hbr.org/2025/05/boards-need-a-more-active-approach-to-cybersecurity

Government urged to invest now—healthcare cybersecurity must scale

The Health Sector Coordinating Council (HSCC) is urgently calling for immediate government investment to bolster the healthcare sector's cybersecurity capabilities, warning that without it, catastrophic failures are likely. A significant concern is the existing disparity, or "have and have-not" dynamic: while large health systems can afford strong defenses, smaller, often rural and safety-net hospitals, are dangerously unprotected.

To close this gap, the HSCC proposes federal incentive programs, similar to the past Meaningful Use initiative for electronic health records (EHRs). These programs would subsidize essential cybersecurity upgrades for providers that lack adequate resources. The report emphasizes that due to the interconnectedness of healthcare, the vulnerabilities present in smaller hospitals pose a direct threat to the security of the entire ecosystem as patients and data move across institutions.  


Read the original article at: https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/government-should-invest-now-healthcare-cybersecurity-says-hscc

Expert analysis shows ‘good’ cyber-resilience no longer meets today’s risks

In a compelling op-ed, industry experts argue that the current benchmark of "good" cybersecurity is dangerously insufficient given the evolving threat landscape. Citing a CHIME survey, the article reveals a concerning gap: while IT teams often rate their detection capabilities highly, business leaders and non-IT staff lack confidence in their ability to respond to a breach. This disconnect creates a fragility in the organization's overall resilience.

The piece emphasizes that resilience must evolve to address the "human element," requiring comprehensive training that goes beyond phishing tests to include full-scale operational continuity drills. It calls for a cultural shift where security is viewed not as a compliance checklist, but as a continuous, adaptive process involving every employee.


Read the original article at: https://histalk2.com/2025/05/12/readers-write-healthcare-cyber-resilience-in-2025-why-good-isnt-good-enough/

Transformative cybersecurity overhaul in healthcare: strategy, tech, skills

This article outlines a practical framework for implementing the new federal cybersecurity standards, focusing on three pillars: Strategy, Technology, and Skills. It argues that compliance cannot be achieved through technology alone.

Strategy involves robust program management and regular "tabletop exercises" to test incident response. Technology focuses on adopting AI-driven threat detection and advanced encryption to automate defense. Finally, Skills addresses the chronic talent shortage by advocating for "staff augmentation"—using flexible, third-party experts to fill niche roles like cloud security or compliance auditing.

This holistic approach allows health systems to modernize their defenses cost-effectively without being overwhelmed by the new regulatory burdens.

 

Read the original article at: https://www.healthitanswers.net/healthcares-cybersecurity-overhaul/




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