Intelligent Health.tech Issue 19 | Page 65

IT ’ S A COMMON SCHOOL OF THOUGHT IN CYBERSECURITY THAT YOU CANNOT PROTECT WHAT YOU DON ’ T KNOW YOU HAVE . UNLESS TRUSTS HAVE A CLEAR PICTURE OF THEIR ASSETS , THEY CANNOT HOPE TO PROPERLY PROTECT THEM .
D I G I T A L D I A G N O S T I C S

IT ’ S A COMMON SCHOOL OF THOUGHT IN CYBERSECURITY THAT YOU CANNOT PROTECT WHAT YOU DON ’ T KNOW YOU HAVE . UNLESS TRUSTS HAVE A CLEAR PICTURE OF THEIR ASSETS , THEY CANNOT HOPE TO PROPERLY PROTECT THEM .

approach here will help to cut through the complexity and avoid tying up limited IT resources . This process should also include reviewing policies and bringing in knowledgeable stakeholders .
Future proofing for regulatory compliance devices and must include understanding the way they communicate with the network as well .
The growing complexity of IoMT protocols and network connectivity compounds the challenge of fragmented asset management within healthcare . IT departments , already stretched thin , are grappling with rapidly evolving IoMT communication protocols and network configurations .
Additionally , institutes face an organisational challenge where knowledge and responsibilities are often siloed . Clinical engineers , possessing invaluable insights into medical technologies , are frequently excluded from asset management and network security discussions . This exclusion limits the understanding of the asset landscape .
As trusts get to grips with their devices , they should also take the opportunity to understand the protocols used across their facilities . Again , an automated
Last , but by no means least , enhanced asset management is also pivotal in meeting compliance standards . This has long been a top priority as healthcare has always been a tightly regulated field , and compliance needs have only grown in recent years . For example , the Data Security and Protection Toolkit ( DSPT ) requires all organisations handling NHS data to assess their security and privacy . On a larger scale , healthcare is included in the EU-wide NIS2 standard , bringing in more stringent requirements including asset management .
Establishing an up-to-date asset inventory that can pinpoint where each piece of data is stored and the security safeguards in place for it will go a long way in ensuring compliance for these standards , as well as future proofing against further developments .
To conclude , while the healthcare industry will continue to face significant challenges around balancing patient care , budgets , and security ; focusing on discovering and managing digital assets will help tackle all three issues simultaneously .
With this under control , providers can work towards an efficient and cost-effective IT infrastructure that boosts patient care without opening the door for cybercriminals . �
Ty Greenhalgh , Healthcare Industry Principal at Claroty
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