A trifecta of issues impact the organization’s cyber-resilience and conspire to put it in the firing line of cyberattacks
Two years after being badly hobbled by the WannaCryptor outbreak, the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) still has a lot of work to do to avoid another crippling cyber-incident, according to a white paper from the Institute of Global Health Innovation at Imperial College London.
A trio of problems – outdated computer systems, underinvestment in cybersecurity, and a shortage of cybersecurity awareness and skills – put the institution and the safety of its patients at risk. The white paper was presented at the House of Lords yesterday.
“A cyberattack on a hospital’s computer system can leave medical staff unable to access important patient details – such as blood test results or X-rays, meaning they are unable to offer appropriate and timely care. It can also prevent life-saving medical equipment or devices from working properly, and in some cases lead to patient data being stolen,” reads a dire warning from the experts.
They also highlight risks associated with the use of new technologies in the healthcare system, including “robotics, artificial intelligence, implantable medical devices and personalized medicines based on a person’s genes”, and call for security to be built into the design of these technologies.
Then there is of course the need to manage third-party risk, as reliance on external IT service providers may leave patient data vulnerable to theft and exploitat ..
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