Securing Healthcare Data: Strengthening Cyber Resilience for a European Hospital

Needs And Requirements:

Initially evaluated with a subpar cybersecurity stance, the hospital grappled with substantial vulnerabilities that surpassed initial estimates. Adherence to healthcare regulations was non-negotiable, yet the institution found it challenging to manage user access on its digital platform. The establishment was deficient in providing adequate cybersecurity awareness training for its staff and necessitated external support for incident response and recovery strategizing.

Main Challenges:

• Compliance with Regulatory Requirements: Adhering to strict healthcare regulations required continual updates and enforcement of compliance measures.
• Difficulty Attracting and Retaining Skilled Professionals: Recruiting and maintaining a skilled cybersecurity workforce posed significant challenges.
• Lack of Robust Policies and Procedures: Absence of strong security policies and procedures hindered effective cybersecurity management.
• Inadequate Patch Management and System Updates: Struggles to keep software and systems updated increased vulnerability to security breaches.
• Limited Budget for Cybersecurity Measures: With a modest budget allocated, implementing comprehensive cybersecurity solutions was particularly challenging.

Solution:

• Penetration Testing: Hitachi Cyber carried out thorough external and internal penetration tests on the hospital network to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers. This involved evaluating unauthorized access points, weak encryption, and potential internal data breaches. Additionally, they focused on the hospital’s patient management systems to detect flaws that could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive patient data. The tests included scrutiny for application logic flaws, improper session handling, and vulnerability to common attacks such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting.
• Cyber Threat Intelligence: Hitachi Cyber executed a comprehensive Dark Web Crawl to identify and evaluate the exposure of sensitive information, with a particular emphasis on patient data and staff credentials found in the obscure corners of the dark web. This proactive measure facilitated the immediate identification and mitigation of risks linked to leaked credentials and exposed patient information, underscoring Hitachi Cyber’s commitment to safeguarding its clients’ digital assets.

Outcomes:

The comprehensive penetration tests and dark web analysis conducted by Hitachi Cyber unveiled a multitude of security issues. These included the alarming presence of hundreds of user passwords on the dark web and critical external vulnerabilities that posed immediate threats. To counter these risks, same-day patches were swiftly implemented, averting potential cyberattacks and significantly bolstering the hospital’s security posture. The institution now benefits from enhanced security updates and robust patch management, fortifying its defenses against future cyber threats.

Next Steps:

Considering the critical nature of its operations, the hospital is committed to conducting regular penetration tests with the expert assistance of Hitachi Cyber. This is a crucial step to ensure that previously identified vulnerabilities do not resurface. The hospital recognizes the importance of continuous investment in cybersecurity testing and infrastructure enhancement, given that its current capabilities are not sufficient to sustain a secure environment autonomously. This strategic approach is designed to facilitate ongoing enhancement of the hospital’s cybersecurity measures. By aligning with healthcare industry standards, it ensures the protection of both patient and institutional data, reinforcing the hospital’s commitment to data security and privacy.