Enhancing Cybersecurity Performance in Healthcare: Voluntary Goals and Best Practices

The healthcare sector in the United States is changing quickly. This change is driven by new technology and a greater dependence on digital systems. As healthcare and information technology become more linked, organizations are facing more risks from cyberattacks. Recent data shows a 93% increase in large healthcare data breaches from 2018 to 2022, along with a significant 278% rise in ransomware incidents during that time. Therefore, it is important for stakeholders to focus on cybersecurity measures to protect patient information and maintain operations.

Recognizing the link between patient safety and cybersecurity, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has taken steps to strengthen defenses against cyber threats. One major initiative is the introduction of voluntary Cybersecurity Performance Goals (CPGs). These goals guide healthcare organizations in prioritizing essential cybersecurity practices. This article looks at the implications of these voluntary goals, best practices, and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in improving cybersecurity workflows.

Understanding Cybersecurity Performance Goals (CPGs)

The CPGs from HHS provide a framework that categorizes necessary and advanced cybersecurity practices. The essential goals aim to create a minimum standard, while the enhanced goals focus on improving the overall cybersecurity capabilities of healthcare organizations.

Essential and Enhanced Goals

• Essential Goals: These include important measures such as improving email security, implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA), providing basic employee cybersecurity training, encrypting sensitive data, and quickly revoking access for staff who leave. These foundational practices aim to address known vulnerabilities often exploited by hackers.
• Enhanced Goals: These are meant to further develop an organization’s cybersecurity posture. They include practices like maintaining asset inventories, establishing strong incident reporting protocols for third-party vendors, and conducting regular cybersecurity testing. Enhanced goals also highlight the need for centralized log management and proactive strategies to defend against potential threats.

Implementing these goals is vital for healthcare organizations facing growing cyber threats. The Health Sector Coordinating Council (HSCC) states that cyber safety directly reflects patient safety, urging investment in strong cybersecurity measures as a necessity in the healthcare industry.

Best Practices for Cybersecurity in Healthcare

After adopting the CPGs, healthcare administrators, owners, and IT managers should adopt these best practices to improve their cybersecurity posture:

• Conduct Enterprise-Wide Risk Analyses: Regular risk assessments are essential for finding vulnerabilities across various systems. Knowing the organization helps with planning and prioritizing cybersecurity efforts.
• Develop Asset Inventories: Keeping a complete inventory of all assets, including hardware and software, allows organizations to quickly spot risks and vulnerabilities. Visibility of all connected systems is crucial for securing healthcare networks.
• Prioritize Basic Cyber Hygiene: Steps like strong email security, enforcing MFA, and teaching basic cybersecurity to employees are needed. Staff should learn to recognize phishing attempts and follow secure practices to reduce human error.
• Ensure Incident Response Preparedness: A solid incident response plan is vital for effectively handling security breaches. Regular drills help team members become familiar with procedures, roles, and communication during an incident.
• Vulnerability Management: Regular scans and testing help identify and reduce risks before malicious actors can exploit them.
• Engaging with Regulators and Industry Bodies: Working with HHS, CISA, and health sector cybersecurity centers can provide organizations with resources and intelligence to enhance their defenses.
• Address Third-Party Risks: Healthcare organizations often depend on various vendors. Implementing strict cybersecurity requirements for vendors and assessing their security posture is vital to reducing related risks.
• Leverage Federal Resources: Organizations can use federal resources like the HPH Cybersecurity Gateway for guidance, education, and intelligence specific to the sector.

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Cybersecurity

As healthcare organizations look to improve their cybersecurity defenses, AI and automation offer chances to enhance response times and reduce risks. AI can significantly impact different areas of cybersecurity:

• Threat Detection and Response: AI can analyze large amounts of data to find anomalies and potential threats in real time. This proactive method allows organizations to respond quickly and prevent breaches before they escalate.
• Workflow Automation: Automation can help streamline monitoring and reporting processes while ensuring compliance. It frees up IT staff to focus on more complex challenges.
• Learning and Adaptation: AI continuously learns from past incidents, improving its threat detection. As risks change, AI can adjust its responses based on emerging patterns and vulnerabilities.
• Enhancing Decision Making: AI aids IT managers in making informed security decisions, using data to identify risks and suggest actions. It can even predict future threats based on historical data.
• Improving User Authentication: AI-driven user behavior analytics can detect unusual user activities, preventing unauthorized access to sensitive systems.
• Automating Compliance Reports: AI can help simplify compliance reporting by generating reports based on cybersecurity practices, helping maintain adherence to federal guidelines.

As organizations face growing cyber threats, considering investments in AI-enabled tools can provide valuable intelligence into their cybersecurity posture.

Upcoming Developments in Healthcare Cybersecurity

In the future, HHS and federal agencies are working to establish enforceable cybersecurity standards. Proposed updates to HIPAA aim to improve security requirements by 2024. Increased penalties for HIPAA violations could encourage healthcare organizations to take cybersecurity seriously.

Collaboration between HHS, CISA, and the Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center (HC3) aims to strengthen links between cybersecurity practices and health safety. HC3 is focused on providing intelligence and actionable recommendations, helping healthcare organizations adapt to evolving cyber threats.

Healthcare organizations are urged to integrate the CPGs within their compliance frameworks to prepare for future regulations. The anticipated Five-Year Health Industry Cybersecurity Strategic Plan by the HSCC indicates a move toward structured cybersecurity approaches with clear milestones and accountability.

For medical practice administrators, owners, and IT managers, staying informed and compliant will be crucial for effective cybersecurity management. By engaging in HHS initiatives, prioritizing best practices, and using technologies like AI, healthcare organizations can improve their cybersecurity posture and protect patient safety and data integrity.

Prioritizing Strategic Collaboration and Funding for Cybersecurity

To successfully implement the cybersecurity strategies from the CPGs, healthcare organizations should seek partnerships beyond their immediate operations. Engaging with federal entities and industry groups can provide funding opportunities for advanced cybersecurity measures.

HHS Deputy Secretary Andrea Palm emphasizes that collaborative efforts to understand cybersecurity threats are vital for both individual organizations and the industry overall. Targeted funding for under-resourced healthcare systems can ensure that all entities in the ecosystem are equipped to handle cyber threats.

Moreover, organizations should take proactive steps in their cybersecurity strategy. Historical trends show that complacency or reactive tactics leave healthcare systems vulnerable to serious consequences.

As healthcare continues to evolve, the relationship between patient safety and cybersecurity will remain important. By following the CPGs and integrating cybersecurity into organizational culture, healthcare administrators and IT managers can protect their operations from the rising number of cyber threats in a digital world.