The NHS is in a difficult situation in the face of prolific threats , exacerbated by recent IT budget cuts and inadequacies in the service ’ s cybersecurity landscape . The combination of old and new technologies has resulted in disparities in cyber-resilience across its infrastructure , and insufficient employee training and investment in cybersecurity technologies has left it exposed . Added to this is the rush of phishing campaigns that are happening every day , and with 90 % of attacks originating from emails , it needs to be front of mind .

The latest Top Malware report from Check Point shows that healthcare is the third most targeted industry in the UK . Considering how disruptive a cyberattack can be on critical care services , the impact of a successful breach is arguably more impactful compared to other industries . That is why the sector needs to incorporate robust cybersecurity measures .

To address these issues , experts at Check Point have suggested healthcare providers incorporate the following four strategies to stave off the unrelenting cyber threat .

1 . Invest in advanced cybersecurity solutions : The NHS must allocate resources for state-of-theart cybersecurity technologies , including intrusion detection systems , advanced threat analytics and robust encryption protocols .

2 . Don ’ t forget the basics of email security : While it is important to be aware of new sophisticated threats , we cannot ignore the familiar routes for entry . Email remains the most exploited attack vector , so it is important to have robust security systems in place that identify and remove malicious emails and links .

3 . Regular cybersecurity training for staff : Given that human error is a common entry point for cyberattacks , continuous training programs for healthcare staff on recognising and mitigating potential threats are imperative .

4 . Frequent security audits and updates : Regular assessments of the NHS ’ s digital infrastructure , along with prompt implementation of security patches and updates , are essential to mitigate vulnerabilities . 5 . Collaboration and information sharing : Establishing partnerships with cybersecurity agencies , sharing threat intelligence and participating in collaborative efforts within the healthcare industry can enhance the NHS ’ s ability to pre-emptively identify and neutralise potential threats .

“ The NHS stores the most sensitive data on millions of patients ; information that fetches a huge price on the dark web . Added to the fact that disruptions to services puts people at risk , cybersecurity needs to be considered a number one priority for domestic healthcare , and not just identified as a major risk ” said Deryck Mitchelson , Global CISO at Check Point . “ There are significant gaps across a hospital ’ s security infrastructure , which includes some equipment running on obsolete operating systems that are vulnerable to hackers . The introduction of IoT medical devices has added a new dimension to the issue as internet connected devices create new vectors for cybercriminals to exploit , potentially putting patients in imminent danger .

“ Only through continuous staff training , regular security audits and the implementation of advanced cybersecurity solutions can we ensure a secure future for the NHS and the wider healthcare ecosystem .” �

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