Cyber Security in the Care Sector

As the migration to digital practice across care settings rapidly increases, so too does the risk of a data breach. Cyber-attacks on small to medium sized businesses (SMBs) are on the rise, particularly during lockdown, and care settings are no exception.

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To put the scale of the problem in context, there are around 65,000 attempts to hack SMBs in the UK every day, nearly 5,000 of which are successful.

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Confidential personal and medical records of services users and HR related information about care staff are perhaps the key areas of concern when it comes to a data breach; the extended application of technology in care settings in more recent times however, essentially amplifies the potential for cyber-attacks.

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• Electronic capture of information during the caregiving process itself is now becoming more commonplace over paper records. According to an article by Forbes, last year alone saw a 300% increase in attacks of ‘Internet of Thing’ (IoT) devices. With 50 billion IoT devices predicted to be in use in healthcare settings over the next decade, the potential scale of the problem is starkly evident.
  
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• The extended provision and use of internet enabled devices to facilitate video communications has been essential in supporting the mental wellbeing of care home residents by keeping them in touch with their loved ones during the Coronavirus pandemic. An increase in home working during the pandemic has of course also presented the risk of data transmission across unsecured networks.

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Is going digital worth the risk?

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The benefits to your business and stakeholders of a digitally empowered care operation are undisputable -efficiency, quality and transparency in data capture, use and sharing, to name but a few- therefore it should not be disregarded just because of the threats that Cyber-attacks present. The question you should be asking yourself is not ‘should I be investing in digital capabilities?’ but rather ‘how can I best protect my digitally enabled care operation?

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Everyone would agree that prevention is better than cure, which is why our Cyber policy at QCG is designed to help you mitigate the risk of an attack, rather than just react when things go wrong. As standard, the policy incorporates preventative measures such as website vulnerability testing, a tailored analysis of your cyber risk exposure and access to a 24/7 support line for advice with queries such as email encryption, staff training options and the most suitable security products for your system.

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If you have an attack on your system, the policy deploys IT forensic experts who can assess your system and ascertain whether it has been permanently compromised or if it can be reinstated. They will also determine what personal data has been released, ensuring those affected are informed. PR and legal counsel services are also available.

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With widening use and application of technology in care settings comes a duty of care to protect the information being transmitted for all stakeholders concerned, as well as the reputation of your business.

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For more information about our Cyber product click here or call 01273 424 904

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