In 2023, 93 million healthcare records were exposed in data breaches, shattering trust and costing millions. These breaches not only underscore the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures but also highlight the complex landscape of compliance facing HealthTech leaders today.

The HealthTech sector stands at the forefront of innovation, changing the way we deliver and receive healthcare. From telemedicine to wearable devices, technological advancements have undoubtedly improved patient care, bringing us closer to a future where healthcare is accessible and personalized.

However, with progress comes new challenges, and one of the most critical concerns facing the HealthTech industry is cybersecurity and compliance. Healthcare data breaches result in costly downtime, inflict reputational damage and come with hefty fines.

Discover the latest trends in healthcare data security and privacy compliance and learn how to protect your organization.

1. Beyond HIPAA: embracing a multi-compliance approach

When you think of security compliance in healthcare, HIPAA is the first framework to come to mind. Yes, HIPAA is crucial for protecting patient data, but healthcare organizations must now adopt a multi-compliance approach to stay ahead of emerging threats.

This means integrating other security frameworks, regulations, and standards such as National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Service Organization Control 2 (SOC 2), and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Embrace a multi-compliance approach to:

• Minimize fines and legal risks by proactively covering all bases.
• Build patient and partner trust through transparent security measures
• Focus on innovation and growth

By embracing a multi-compliance approach, healthcare organizations can enhance their cybersecurity posture and strengthen data security and privacy measures.

2. SOC 2 building trust through security transparency

In an era where data breaches and cyber attacks are becoming increasingly common, building trust with patients and stakeholders is at the top of the priority list for healthcare organizations.

One way to establish trust is by obtaining SOC 2 compliance. Where should you start? Get familiar with the SOC 2 audit process.

SOC 2 (Service Organization Control 2) is a framework designed to assess and report on the security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy of systems and data. By obtaining SOC 2 compliance, healthcare organizations demonstrate their commitment to implementing robust security controls and protecting patient data.

SOC 2 compliance in healthcare provides assurance to patients, partners, and regulators that the organization follows industry best practices and has adequate safeguards in place to protect sensitive information.

Transparency is a key component of SOC 2 compliance. Healthcare organizations must provide stakeholders with clear and comprehensive information about their security practices, policies, and procedures. This transparency not only helps build trust but also allows stakeholders to assess the organization's security posture and make informed decisions about partnering or seeking healthcare services.

Familiarize yourself with the audit process and prioritize transparency by openly sharing security practices and policies.

By obtaining SOC 2 compliance and embracing security transparency, healthcare organizations can build trust, differentiate themselves in the market, and attract patients and partners who prioritize data security and privacy.

3. Automation

With the increasing volume and complexity of attacks, manual security processes are no longer sufficient. The traditional manual methods of managing compliance programs (with spreadsheets and consultants) are time-consuming, error-prone, and often struggle to keep pace with how quickly compliance must be achieved.

Automation plays a critical role in streamlining evidence collection, allowing organizations to gather and organize the necessary documentation more efficiently. With automation, healthcare organizations can expedite compliance, reducing the burden of manual reviews and freeing up valuable time for cybersecurity professionals to focus on more strategic initiatives.

AI technology can help healthcare organizations better manage their compliance programs, bringing efficiency and accuracy to the process.

By leveraging automation in their compliance journey, healthcare organizations like yours can proactively defend against cyber threats and stay one step ahead of attackers. 

4. Fighting malicious AI 

While artificial intelligence (AI) has tremendous potential in healthcare, it can also be exploited by malicious actors to carry out cyber attacks.

Malicious AI refers to the use of AI technologies for malicious purposes, such as generating sophisticated phishing emails, impersonating individuals, or evading detection systems.

To combat malicious AI, healthcare organizations must employ advanced security measures. This includes implementing AI-powered threat detection systems that can identify and mitigate AI-generated attacks.

Organizations should continuously update their AI models and algorithms to stay ahead of evolving attack techniques.

Collaboration between cybersecurity experts and AI developers is crucial to stay one step ahead of attackers. By working together, they can share knowledge, develop robust defenses, and proactively identify and address AI vulnerabilities.

Healthcare organizations should also prioritize employee training and awareness programs to educate staff about the risks and challenges associated with malicious AI. By fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness, organizations can empower their employees to recognize and report potential AI-generated threats.

Strike Graph: leading the way in healthcare security

Strike Graph prioritizes transparency and security trust.

By providing a comprehensive security overview, we help healthcare organizations build trust with patients, partners, and regulators. The report offers detailed insights into the organization's security practices, policies, and procedures, demonstrating a commitment to protecting sensitive information and complying with industry standards.

Strike Graph enables healthcare organizations to streamline and automate their compliance efforts. Our platform integrates multiple compliance standards, including HIPAA, NIST,  and GDPR. This means you can effortlessly satisfy complex regulatory requirements, all while maintaining a holistic view of your organization’s security posture. 

Strike Graph empowers you to optimize your resources, reduce the burden on your team, and achieve peace of mind to focus on what truly matters - providing exceptional care to your customers. 

By leveraging automation and AI, Strike Graph helps healthcare organizations identify and address vulnerabilities, and ensure continuous compliance.

→ WATCH: How to do a risk assessment 

As a leader in healthcare security, Strike Graph is dedicated to empowering healthcare organizations to not just protect patient data, but also elevate HealthTech businesses to new heights of efficiency, security, and compliance. 

Let's talk. Contact us today to see how we can help you build a resilient, compliant, and successful HealthTech future.