Strengthening Cybersecurity in Healthcare

As the healthcare industry transitioned to the digital age with the move to electronic health records (EHRs), new challenges emerged. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, healthcare has become the prime target of cyberattacks, with a staggering 256% increase in ransomware and hacking incidents over the past five years. The high value of personal health data—up to 40 times more valuable than credit card information—has made it an attractive target for attackers. The financial impact of these breaches is severe, as demonstrated by a recent cyberattack on a healthcare tech provider, which resulted in $100 million in daily losses.

a woman sitting at a desk facing away from us, her desk is backlit and we can see her computer screen full of data

So, how do healthcare companies overcome security challenges?
Healthcare organizations must proactively counter these threats, starting with assembling a strong cybersecurity team. Technologists with expertise in HIPAA regulations and EHR protection are crucial to defending against these sophisticated threats.
That said, finding the right professionals for your team can be hard, especially with a national shortage of cybersecurity workers, which we’ll explore further below.

The Critical Role of Cybersecurity in Healthcare

A competent cybersecurity team is crucial for healthcare organizations to avoid fines and reputational damage from data breaches. A skilled team ensures the implementation of encryption protocols to safeguard sensitive information stored in electronic health records. It also conducts timely assessments and penetration testing, proactively identifying and addressing security vulnerabilities. Regular assessments and encryption let you stay one step ahead of the latest threats and protect your digital infrastructure.

Shield Your Healthcare Systems

Building a strong cybersecurity team means being prepared for breaches while monitoring systems in real-time. Effective incident response plans and continuous threat monitoring equip your team with the tools needed for swift action.

  • An efficient incident response plan enhances your team’s readiness to act quickly, minimizing damage during security breaches.
  • Continuous monitoring and real-time threat detection strengthen your team’s ability to spot and neutralize risks before they escalate.

Together, these strategies provide your cybersecurity team with the resources to maintain secure healthcare environments and recover rapidly from any incident.

we see the backs of two healthcare professionals working together on a desk with several computers showing health information and data

Cybersecurity Teams Can Train Your Staff

Cybersecurity professionals should work with all members of your company to prevent threats and protect computer systems. Through training programs, they can:

  • Help employees identify phishing attempts and email hacking attempts
  • Increase awareness about social engineering, where bad actors manipulate healthcare staff to share data
  • Provide staff with information about the latest risks affecting the healthcare industry

A Shortage of Cybersecurity Professionals

Creating a cybersecurity team is difficult. In 2023, there was a shortfall of 483,000 cybersecurity experts in the United States alone. In one study, 74% percent of healthcare organizations said they had a significant shortage of cybersecurity staff.

This brings about all kinds of challenges. As essential roles go unfilled, healthcare providers cannot mitigate the most dangerous threats. A lack of money and resources also holds providers back. Forty-three percent of organizations said they lack the money to hire qualified professionals.

Even after finding the right experts, healthcare companies face other issues. Fifty-seven percent have found it difficult to retain talent, resulting in gaps in their cybersecurity teams.

“Reasons for dissatisfaction among cybersecurity professionals can include the lack of professional growth opportunities, a lack of executive support, stress, burnout, and inadequate compensation,” says the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS). “Some cybersecurity professionals are also concerned about the loss of their jobs due to breaches.”

This shortage is not just a hiring challenge—it’s a critical risk that weakens the foundation of healthcare security. Building and maintaining a robust cybersecurity team requires innovative solutions to close this talent gap.

Upskilling Your Current Workforce: A Strategic Solution to Staffing Gaps

Given the critical shortage of cybersecurity professionals, organizations must look inward and strengthen their existing teams through upskilling. Upskilling allows you to transform current employees into specialized cybersecurity experts, reducing dependence on external recruitment in a highly competitive market.

Investing in your team’s growth enhances their capabilities and improves retention, as employees feel more valued and engaged in their roles.

the camera looks over the shoulder of a person we can't identify working on a computer, we can see data on the screens93% of organizations that implemented advanced upskilling programs report increased retention. Source

At Per Scholas, we’ve worked with industry leaders to develop customized cybersecurity training programs to ensure your team stays ahead of the curve with the latest tools, techniques, and best practices.

By partnering with us, you can develop a culture of continuous improvement that strengthens your cybersecurity team from within, while addressing immediate skill gaps with targeted training.

Creating a Cybersecurity Talent Pipeline

While upskilling can address skills shortages in your organization, you’ll still want new talent to join your cybersecurity team. However, you might already know that recruiting certified and experienced staff is a lengthy process. In a recent study, 38% of companies said it took three to six months to fill a cybersecurity position with a qualified entry-level candidate. Only 3% of companies said it took less than a month to fill an open position.

Recruiting new talent can also be pricey. Most companies pay between $4,000 and $20,000 when hiring an employee, with salary and benefits not included in this cost.

Per Scholas helps you create a cybersecurity talent pipeline. We can provide your healthcare organization with a steady stream of experienced and qualified experts from day one. As a result, you’ll reduce the time it takes to hire new employees and lower recruitment costs.

Our cybersecurity experts are:

  • CompTIA CySA+ certified
  • Trained to secure networks, configure firewalls, and protect your company against threats
  • Experienced with industry-standard tools
  • Experts in configuring and defending systems and networks

With a combined 700 hours of hands-on experience, our professionals are highly skilled, hard-working, and diverse technologists with an incredible amount of cybersecurity expertise!

a female doctor uses her finger to influence a technology based image

Tackle the Cybersecurity Skills Shortage Today

Whether you’re looking to upskill your current staff or hire new talent, we’re here to help. By working with Per Scholas, you can quickly fill roles in your organization and create a strong cybersecurity team that makes you proud.

Ready to transform your cybersecurity strategy? Fill out the form below to connect with a tech talent expert.

Start by having a conversation with our Tech Talent experts.

Connect with us for an initial skills and talent gap assessment.

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Perscholas

Per Scholas

Per Scholas Enterprise Talent Solutions is unlocking potential by connecting organizations with highly-skilled technologists, ready to step-up and make an impact on day one. We partner together with businesses of all sizes to build sustainable, diverse tech talent pipelines, changing the face of tech, and increasing your bottom line through increased collaboration and innovation. Stop Buying Talent. Start Building It.

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