Hospitals Urged to Adopt Zero Trust Architecture to Bolster Cybersecurity and Improve Patient Safety
Hospital administrators and IT teams are urged to adopt Zero Trust Architecture to bolster cybersecurity. This comes as attackers exploit multiple entry points into healthcare networks, with data theft and leaks accounting for 32% of cyber incidents in 2024. The approach aims to protect care-critical systems and prevent medical errors caused by unsafe care.
Zero Trust shifts the default from trusting all users and devices within a network to continuously verifying and limiting access. It involves several key steps:
Firstly, strengthening Identity and Access Management (IAM) is crucial. This includes enforcing multi-factor authentication, checking device health, applying role-based access, and automating user provisioning and offboarding. Secondly, microsegmenting networks and isolating critical systems helps contain security incidents and prevent lateral movement. Lastly, securing leadership buy-in and building a cross-functional team are vital for successful implementation.
Perimeter firewalls alone cannot stop lateral movement once a threat actor gains access. Zero Trust reduces the blast radius of security incidents by limiting each account, device, and app to only what it needs. It also improves visibility by logging every access decision, aiding in spotting unusual behavior and supporting HIPAA and HITECH audits.
With 50% of unsafe care cases worldwide preventable and half attributed to medical errors, tightening identity, device, and data access in hospitals is paramount. By implementing Zero Trust Architecture, hospitals can enhance their cybersecurity posture, protect care-critical systems, and ultimately improve patient safety.
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