A Proactive Vision for Cybersecurity in MedTech
The MedTech Innovation Assembly 2023 witnessed a proactive vision for cybersecurity in the MedTech sector, featuring a line-up of remarkable speakers. The focus centred on delving into the realms of cybersecurity, safeguarding patient data, and upholding the integrity of digital healthcare systems.
Curious about the valuable insights shared on fostering an environment conducive to innovation and growth? Dive into the details to discover the pearls of wisdom our experts shared!
The Panel
Chairing the A Proactive Vision for Cybersecurity in MedTech was Nick Halliday, CEO Software & Systems integrator IDS-Group and Founder of SaaS construction product eviFile.
Making up the panel was:
- Dr Jims Marchang, Cybersecurity Academic and Researcher in Blockchain, IoMT and Robotics (Healthcare)
- Paul Gray, Principal Architect at Preventx
- Martin Borrett, Technical Director, IMB Security, UK and Ireland (UKI)
- Hannah Duraid, Director at Hyivy Health
What are the most common types of data breaches?
During the panel discussion, the panellists talked about different ways data breaches can happen. Paul Gray pointed out a common problem stems from when people accidentally share sensitive information by sending emails or letters to the wrong recipients. Martin shared a case where a healthcare breach cost 10.9 million dollars. The discussion also covered the overall cost of data breaches, including the money spent on responding to the breach, recovering from it, potential fines, and emergency measures, like hiring instant response companies. The panel highlighted the risk of misconfigured systems, often caused by human error. They mentioned that sharing passwords because of stress and a heavy workload is a common but risky behaviour.
The panel recognised that having insurance is a good idea, but they warned that it’s not a cure-all. They stressed the importance of regularly reviewing and updating policies because they can change over time.
What are the biggest challenges to overcoming breaches in healthcare?
Dealing with security breaches in healthcare is a complex problem, and the panel session highlighted several main challenges. One major issue is the long time it takes to address breaches, with a global average of 277 days. In healthcare, this duration is even higher at 323 days. This slow response time emphasises the need for better incident handling. One proposed solution is to improve security measures, which could cut the response time by an impressive 108 days. Strengthening security protocols is crucial for lessening the impact of breaches and making healthcare systems more resilient to evolving cyber threats.
What can organisations do to protect themselves in healthcare?
During the panel discussion, experts talked about how organisations in healthcare can improve their cybersecurity. Hannah highlighted the importance of limiting device access and suggested using ID numbers instead of names for better security. Paul emphasised the need to reduce risks, especially by not sharing positive results on easily accessible platforms. The panel also pointed out the crucial role of early detection, mentioning that only one-third of security breaches are found by security teams, another third by customers, and the final third by malicious actors. This shows the need for a more comprehensive approach to protecting healthcare organisations.
How have firewalls evolved over time?
Over the years, firewalls have changed a lot to improve digital security. Cloudflare, used by PreventX, is a modern way to protect websites. It uses artificial intelligence to defend your site well. Although it needs some setup, basic features are free, and you can get more functions with paid options. Penetration testers have tested it thoroughly, proving it’s a reliable protective barrier. It’s like a strong shield for your digital space and is worth looking into for better online security.
What are the common types of human error?
Finally, we talked about common human errors, like using the same password repeatedly. Jims emphasised that these actions matter more than technical stuff like firewalls. Basically, he said the real problem is how people behave. This shows we need more awareness and education to prevent human errors that could put cybersecurity at risk.
MedTech Innovation Assembly 2024
The session was extremely insightful, as was all the sessions. Due to the success, our MIA will back bigger and better for 2024.
Don’t miss out! Sign up to our mailing list for first dibs on everything you need to know about MIA’24.
Register your interest for MIA 2024!
Register Interest for MIA 2024
People who have registered interest on the MIA page for next year
Details
Grove House
Mansion Gate Drive
Chapel Allerton
Leeds
LS7 4DN
Register Interest for MIA 2024
People who have registered interest on the MIA page for next year