Runecast's Response to Cybersecurity Concerns in Healthcare

Runecast's Response to Cybersecurity Concerns in Healthcare: A Proactive Approach

Security breaches are an ever-present threat in today's digital world, and the healthcare sector is no exception. According to a recent report, "More than 39 million individuals have been impacted by healthcare data breaches reported in the first half of 2023 alone" [1].The recent articles published by Chief Healthcare Executive highlight the ongoing challenges that healthcare organizations face in maintaining robust cybersecurity measures. Patterson Cake, a cybersecurity consultant for Avertium, and Kim, a cybersecurity expert at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), both emphasize the importance of proactive defense building over reactive measures. As a leading provider of predictive analytics for IT infrastructure, Runecast Solutions Ltd. is committed to helping healthcare organizations strengthen their cybersecurity defenses.

The Perils of the Wait-and-See Approach

Kim's observation that some organizations adopt a "wait-and-see" approach to cybersecurity is concerning [2]. This reactive stance, often taken by organizations that have not yet experienced a breach, can leave them vulnerable to attacks. At Runecast, we believe in the importance of proactive measures to prevent breaches before they occur. This includes regular system audits, vulnerability assessments, and continuous monitoring to identify and address potential threats.

Addressing Vulnerabilities from All Angles

Kim also highlights the need for healthcare systems to address vulnerabilities promptly after attacks, noting that many hospitals have been hit multiple times due to unaddressed weaknesses or outdated defenses [3]. Runecast echoes this sentiment. Our platform provides automated checks against known vulnerabilities and misconfigurations, helping healthcare organizations identify and patch weaknesses promptly.

Furthermore, Kim points out the need for healthcare systems to consider threats that could emerge from inside the organization [3]. Runecast recognizes this often-overlooked aspect of cybersecurity. Our platform includes features for detecting vulnerabilities, helping to ensure a comprehensive defense strategy. Our platform is detecting vulnerabilities in different levels of the infrastructure, helping to harden the security and establishing a complete defensive plan.

The Solution: Continuous Compliance 

Kim underscores the necessity for healthcare systems to identify their vulnerabilities and patch their defenses, particularly following a cyberattack [4]. This is where the concept of continuous compliance, a core feature of Runecast, comes into play. Continuous compliance involves maintaining an ongoing, proactive approach to meeting security standards and regulations, rather than treating compliance as a one-time event.

Runecast provides a platform that automates compliance checks against a multitude of security standards relevant to the healthcare industry like: CIS Benchmarks, NIST, HIPAA, PCI DSS, DISA STIG, BSI IT-Grundschutz (Germany), ISO 27001, GDPR (EU), Cyber Essentials (UK), Essential 8 (Australia), KVKK (Turkey), TISAX, CISA KEVs catalog, etc. This continuous compliance approach helps organizations identify potential vulnerabilities before they can be exploited, enabling them to take corrective action promptly.

Moreover, our platform's predictive analytics capabilities can help healthcare organizations stay ahead of potential threats. By providing automated checks against known vulnerabilities and continuous monitoring, we enable healthcare systems to adopt a proactive approach to cybersecurity.

Runecast's Commitment to the Healthcare Industry

At Runecast, we understand the unique cybersecurity challenges that healthcare organizations face, including the need to comply with regulations such as HIPAA. Our predictive analytics platform is designed to help these organizations stay one step ahead of potential threats. By providing automated checks against known vulnerabilities and continuous monitoring, we enable healthcare systems to adopt a proactive approach to cybersecurity and maintain continuous compliance with regulations like HIPAA.

A testament to our commitment is our work with DHU Health Care, a service provider for the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). Faced with the challenge of lacking overall visibility and a reactive approach to addressing issues, DHU Health Care turned to Runecast. Our solution provided them with the transparency needed to determine what to work on proactively, ensuring the stability of their mission-critical urgent-healthcare systems [5].

In the face of the real and ever-present threat of cybersecurity breaches in healthcare, we believe that proactive measures can significantly reduce the risk. As part of our commitment to the healthcare industry, Runecast Solutions is dedicated to supporting healthcare organizations in this critical endeavor. We provide the solution and insights they need to strengthen their defenses, protect their critical data, and ensure compliance with important regulations like HIPAA, reinforcing our commitment to proactive cybersecurity and continuous compliance.

References:

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[1] Health IT Security. (2023). Biggest Healthcare Data Breaches Reported This Year So Far. [https://healthitsecurity.com/features/biggest-healthcare-data-breaches-reported-this-year-so-far]

[2] Chief Healthcare Executive. (2023). Cybersecurity Experts Weigh Risks of Hospitals Paying Ransom Demands. [https://www.chiefhealthcareexecutive.com/view/cybersecurity-experts-weigh-risks-of-hospitals-paying-ransom-demands]

[3] Chief Healthcare Executive. (2023). Cybersecurity in Healthcare: Even with Progress, Many Vulnerabilities Remain. [https://www.chiefhealthcareexecutive.com/view/cybersecurity-in-healthcare-even-with-progress-many-vulnerabilities-remain]

[4] Chief Healthcare Executive. (2023). How Hospitals Can Improve Cybersecurity: Tips, Training, and Tough Love. [https://www.chiefhealthcareexecutive.com/view/how-hospitals-can-improve-cybersecurity-tips-training-and-tough-love]

[5] Runecast. (2023). DHU Health Care: Proactive Problem-Solving with Runecast Analyzer. [https://www.runecast.com/case-studies/dhu-health-care]