The Healthcare industry holds the most sensitive data. The data includes the medical history of patients, their EHRs, Personal Health IDs, insurance details, and other private information.
The sensitive data is of high value in the black market. Hence is valuable for criminals. They can take advantage of victims’ medical conditions and target them with frauds and scams. They can even create fake insurance claims to enable the purchase and resale of medical equipment. This data, if in the wrong hands, can also lead to terrorism.
As a result, health data is vulnerable to cybersecurity attacks. With the adoption of the cloud to store these records, cloud security in healthcare is becoming a topic of concern.
Cloud security and Healthcare
With the increase in virtual care opportunities driven by the pandemic, the adoption of cloud services in healthcare is rising. These cloud services do not refer to just storing patient records. There are various other services as well.
Types of cloud services in Healthcare
- Enterprise Resource Planning systems
- Health Information Systems
- Communication services
- Office management
- Cloud-based network
- Health data analytics
- Medical IoT devices
- Telemedicine services
- Medication monitoring
- Supply chain management
An increase in the use of cloud services increases the vulnerability of the data as healthcare providers use third-party cloud storage services. Therefore, the demand for cloud security increases.
Cloud security in healthcare refers to the protection of data, applications and infrastructure used in healthcare cloud computing.
Let us look at the companies providing cloud security in healthcare.
Key players in healthcare cloud security
There are many players ready to foray and grab their share in the healthcare security market. A few key players include:
Market analysis projects the growth of Global Cloud Security in the Healthcare market at a CAGR of 10.3% during 2021-2027. The market is expected to reach a $14820 million valuation by 2027.
The benefits of adopting cloud services in healthcare have led to this exponential growth of the healthcare cloud security market.
Benefits of adopting cloud in healthcare
- It gives streamlined data access enabling physicians to trace patients’ records and make informed decisions.
- It helps in the storage and management of vast volumes of health data.
- It reduces data loss with timely Data backup and recovery.
- The cloud facilitates the usage of big data analytics and machine learning that improves the response to data needs.
- It increases health data interoperability between wearables, medical IoT devices and online health tracking applications.
- Cloud enables quality treatment with the availability of better information about the patients.
- It helps in providing telehealth services and seamless remote health support.
Though the Healthcare cloud has numerous benefits, it has major challenges to deal with as well.
Challenges with Healthcare cloud security
- Comply with regulatory laws like HIPAA, GDPR and others.
- Unexpected system downtimes and server issues
- Data security and privacy issues
- Data theft and data loss due to malicious attacks
The number of healthcare security breaches have increased over the past year, and almost all healthcare providers must use best security practices while using the cloud.
Significant Healthcare security breaches
- A ransomware attack on St.Joseph/Candler Health System in Aug 2021 compromised the data of 1.4 million patients.
- Nation-state hacking incidents affected the State of Alaska Department of Health & Social Services, leading to data breaches of 5 million patients.
Many such breaches occur every year that compromise the data of millions of patients worldwide.
How to strengthen cloud security in healthcare?
Healthcare providers need to take proactive steps to strengthen cloud security.
- They must beware of third party threats.
- Attaining compliance with HIPAA and GDPR must not be confused with achieving high-level security.
- They must identify their security priorities.
- Implementing multi-factor authentication and taking other necessary steps to reduce risk.
- Always use reputed cloud security services.
Healthcare providers can avail more information regarding cloud security best practices from
- Cloud security alliance (CSA)
- European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA)
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Health IT program
Conclusion: Cloud Security in Healthcare is an ongoing battle
Cloud security in healthcare is a constant battle. With the evolution of better technologies to secure the cloud, malicious practitioners find new loopholes to get sensitive data.
Therefore, healthcare providers must constantly update themselves with new threats and best security practices to stay ahead of the curve and protect sensitive data.
