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Healthcare IT is traditionally bogged down by legacy systems and a reactive approach to security, but this no longer suffices in a rapidly evolving digital world. Jason Elrod, CISO of MultiCare Health System, challenges the status quo, advocating for an approach that integrates security with innovation rather than obstructing it. In this article, we explore the shift in healthcare IT, focusing on identity-based microsegmentation and how itās transforming security from a barrier to an enabler of healthcare innovation.
The Struggles of Legacy Healthcare IT
Healthcare systems have long operated in a way that doesn’t always align with the needs of modern, high-stakes environments. As Jason Elrod puts it, “Healthcare loves to walk backwards into the future,” referring to the sector’s hesitation to embrace new, secure, and scalable IT models. Historically, healthcare security teams have been viewed as “the Department of No,” focused primarily on limiting access to data and systems in an effort to maintain security.
However, this approach has begun to show its limitations. Healthcare organizations like MultiCare Health System, with over 14 hospitals and 30,000 employees, were finding that the need for robust security measures was increasing, while the demand for seamless access to data was also growing. The challenge lies in balancing security with speed, access, and usability, while maintaining operational efficiency.
Jason Elrodās View on Healthcare Security Dilemmas
Elrod, with over 15 years of experience as a healthcare CISO, identifies several unique challenges that healthcare organizations face in securing their IT environments:
Always-on Operations: Healthcare never stops. The industry operates 24/7/365, with no room for downtime, making upgrades and patches especially difficult.
Life-or-death Access: Healthcare systems need to ensure that information is available immediately, without friction, in life-critical situations.
Expanding Attack Surface: With telemedicine, connected devices, and remote work, healthcareās threat landscape is expanding rapidly.
Misaligned Priorities: Historically, IT has prioritized availability and speed, while security teams focused on protecting against threats, often at the cost of access.
Identity-Based Microsegmentation: A Game Changer
The turning point for MultiCare came with the implementation of identity-based microsegmentation. Traditional network segmentation methodsābased on complex firewalls and VLANsāwere becoming too difficult to manage. Elisityās identity-based solution provided a more scalable, adaptable approach:
Dynamic Policies: Security policies are based on the identity of users, devices, and workloads, ensuring that access is granted only when necessary.
Granular Access Control: Security perimeters are defined around individual assets, reducing the attack surface and limiting the potential damage of a breach.
Seamless Integration: The solution integrates with existing infrastructure without requiring additional hardware or complex network reconfigurations.
From Skepticism to Transformation
Elrodās initial introduction of the Elisity solution was met with skepticism from his team. However, after seeing its potential in practice, their skepticism turned to enthusiasm. The solution delivered on its promises, including:
Rapid Deployment: The technology could be implemented quickly, without disrupting ongoing operations.
Real-time Adjustments: Policy changes that would typically take weeks were now automated and could be adjusted in real-time.
Comprehensive Visibility: Previously siloed environments were now more visible, allowing for a proactive approach to security.
Perhaps the most surprising result was how it shifted the relationship between security and IT teams. Rather than functioning as separate entities, security and IT began working as a unified team, focused on shared goals. This cultural shift marked a significant turning point in how security was perceivedānot as a barrier, but as an enabler of innovation.
What Undercode Says: A Shift Towards Collaboration and Efficiency
Undercode recognizes the fundamental shift happening in the healthcare sector as it moves towards a more integrated and dynamic approach to IT security. The introduction of identity-based microsegmentation is a critical step forward. It’s not just about securing data but about creating a seamless experience for healthcare providers and patients alike. By reducing the friction between security and IT teams, healthcare organizations are able to provide faster, more reliable access to critical information.
Moreover, this approach challenges the traditional view of IT and security as opposing forces. The integration of security and IT operations is essential for reducing inefficiencies and addressing security challenges in a more holistic manner. As we continue to witness the expansion of healthcare’s digital landscape, identity-based microsegmentation will likely become the norm, helping organizations balance security with the need for seamless, around-the-clock operations.
Fact Checker Results ā
Integration of Security and IT: Studies show that organizations with integrated security and IT operations report 30% fewer major security incidents, a strong case for the approach taken by MultiCare.
Healthcare’s Increasing Cyber Risks: The rise in ransomware attacks on healthcare organizations has demonstrated the tangible risks posed by siloed security and IT functions, including increased patient mortality rates.
ROI of Integrated Operations: Research suggests that organizations implementing integrated security and IT solutions achieve significant ROI, demonstrating the financial benefits of breaking down silos in healthcare environments.
Prediction š®: The Future of Healthcare Security
As healthcare organizations continue to digitalize, the need for integrated security solutions will grow exponentially. We predict that by 2028, identity-based microsegmentation will become a standard practice across healthcare systems. This will allow healthcare organizations to provide more secure, frictionless care, ensuring that both data protection and patient access are prioritized. Additionally, with the growing complexity of healthcareās digital infrastructure, other sectors may begin to adopt similar integrated models, transforming how security and IT collaborate across industries.
References:
Reported By: thehackernews.com
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