Security at the heart of digital healthcare

Cyber Security in Healthcare

In the midst of the digital transformation of the healthcare industry, cyberattacks are on the rise. With the increased use of IT systems and the utilization and storage of sensitive data, those responsible are faced with new challenges. The healthcare sector has become one of the preferred targets for cyber criminals. These highly professional attackers often come up against inadequately protected systems, networks and untrained employees. Attacks range from data theft to the manipulation of infrastructure and medical devices.

In the healthcare sector in particular, such attacks can have devastating effects and even endanger human lives. The responsibility and liability in this context is often underestimated. In order to recognize the dangers and successfully avert them, it is necessary to take a holistic view of the risks and involve all relevant employees -- from management to users.

The challenges of information security in the healthcare sector

External threats
  • (State) sabotage
  • Security vulnerabilities in software/hardware
  • Crypto Trojans
  • Ransomware
  • Bot networks
  • Data theft
  • Power outages
  • Hacker
  • Zero Day
  • Social Engineering
Hospital situation
  • Old, proprietary systems 
  • Resource bottlenecks 
  • Patching medical devices 
  • Workforce awareness 
  • New cloud systems 
  • Available IT expertise 
  • Telematics infrastructure 
  • Microsegmentation networks
Legal framework
  • IT Security Act 2.0
  • NIS2
  • Patient Data Protection Act
  • §75c SGB V
  • KRITIS Legal Ordinance
  • BSIG §8a
  • ISO 27799
  • Industry-specific security standard (B3S) of the DKG
  • Hospital Future Fund
  • KHZG (Hospital Future Act

Our Consulting Services in cyber security for the healthcare sector

Efficient safety management in hospitals

Your challenges

Stringent legal requirements, small budgets, a lack of expertise in IT and IT security: Many hospitals need pragmatic organizational forms, control instruments and processes to counteract risks efficiently.

UNITY solution approach

  • Introduce a management system (ISMS and B3S) 
  • Develop robust structures and processes for the continuation of healthcare in an emergency (BCM) 
  • KHZG Health Check: Fulfillment of legal requirements with targeted IT security measures
Raise employee awareness and empower them

Your challenges

The primary task of medical and nursing staff is to save lives, but the focus is not on IT security. Nevertheless, digital and security skills must be taught in all areas along the information flows in modern healthcare facilities.

UNITY solution approach

  • Individual awareness workshops for medical and nursing staff as well as key personnel in management and administration
  • Beginner workshops with IT security managers to identify and eliminate vulnerabilities
  • Consistent consideration of information security aspects in all types of organizational and IT projects
IT security for patient protection

Your challenges

Modern cloud applications meet outdated information systems or medical devices. Especially with legacy system architectures with heterogeneous systems, devices and technologies, it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain an overview. Security technologies place high demands on the existing IT landscape. At the same time, a seamless workflow must be guaranteed with the systems.

UNITY solution approach

  • Analyze the systems and technologies used 
  • Identity-based zero-trust approaches for all users and devices
  • Security tests for infrastructure and medical devices

Make an appointment with our experts

Depending on the topic, we provide you with the right experts. Select your preferred date from our calendar and discuss your concerns with our experts by phone or via Microsoft Teams without any obligation. We look forward to getting to know you!

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The final sprint to the Hospital Future Act

The implementation projects under the Hospital Future Act (KHZG) are coming to an end as the year 2025 approaches quickly. In this limited timeframe, it is crucial to manage IT security efficiently. Unfortunately, IT security is often not sufficiently taken into account in funding, leaving hospitals with the challenge of finding meaningful measures to make the best use of the remaining budget.
 

Structured starting point
  • Determine IT security budget per FTB
  • Evaluate cost distribution of inherent versus modular/separable measures 
  • Identify internal project ideas, expectations and existing provider information
Gap analysis
  • As-is situation of the overall system (optional: As-is IT architecture) 
  • Analyze weak points 
  • Identify legal requirements (e.g. ISMS, NIS2, ...) 
  • Gap analysis of the target situation
Risk assessment
  • Define the risk methodology
  • Conduct a risk analysis and assessment based on the results of the gap analysis
  • Optional: Penetration test on organization or systems to uncover further vulnerabilities
Project clustering and prioritization
  • Derive and cluster the IT security projects 
  • Prioritize the projects and assign them to the FTBs 
  • Optional: Classify the projects in an overall roadmap, taking into account dependencies and the necessary time and personnel resources
Proof of IT service provider
  • Provide evidence for FTB 10 
  • Optional: Proof for other FTBs (>15% stake) 
  • Support in change applications and the related arguments for the funding body

Your benefits

Targeted identification of IT security measures

Consider software-inherent measures

Secure eligibility for funding as part of the KHZG

Correct allocation to funding facts
Secure argumentation for change requests

Optimal use of KHZG funds

Appropriate use and full utilization of available funding

Your contacts for Cyber Security in Healthcare

Michael Happ

Head of Cyber Security

Cologne, Germany
Contact us

Meik Eusterholz

Partner, Head of Business Area

Paderborn, Germany
Contact us

Miriam Golis

Head of Business Area

Berlin, Germany
Contact us