Survey of nearly 200 healthcare IT leaders reveals healthcare cloud security trends; report offers practical solutions to address overconfidence and emerging risks
Austin, Texas, September 18, 2024 ClearDATA®, a leading provider of cloud security services specialized in healthcare, offering security and compliance programs specifically designed for healthcare operations and managed cloud, today announced the release of the 2024 State of Healthcare Cloud Security and Compliance Report. This comprehensive report, published by ClearDATA with support from Healthcare Innovation, is informed by a recent survey of more than 180 healthcare IT leaders and provides critical insights into the current state and future trends of cloud security and compliance within the healthcare industry.
The report highlights the rise in cyberattacks on healthcare, emphasizing the urgent need to improve security measures in the sector. Confidence in cloud security programs and compliance is high; however, many organizations still suffer from cloud misconfigurations and security incidents, indicating a significant gap in cybersecurity practices.
While there has been a significant increase in cybersecurity budgets and employee training, the high number of vulnerabilities and security incidents in the cloud suggests that a comprehensive approach, one that goes beyond a reactive posture to include proactive and agile strategies, is critical. The research also suggests that investment in internal training may not be enough, raising the question: Are internal IT teams fully equipped to handle the complex nature of healthcare cybersecurity and compliance now and in the future?
Key ideas from the report include:
Cybersecurity budgets are on the rise: 92% of organizations increased their cybersecurity budgets year-over-year, indicating a growing concern about the effectiveness of their cyber resilience. Multiple security incidents per year: Despite increased spending, healthcare organizations are experiencing an average of 3-5 security incidents per year, highlighting the gap between investment and outcome. Misconfigurations persist, but concern is low: Nearly 80% of organizations surveyed reported at least one misconfiguration in the cloud in the past year, highlighting a major security vulnerability that other research has shown to be the root cause of cyber incidents and breaches. However, only 4% of respondents reported being most concerned about misconfigurations leading to unauthorized access. More investment in security programs: In response to misconfigurations, 54% of organizations implemented new cloud security tools or programs to better address cloud risks and issues and strengthen their defenses. Internal training is increasing but likely to be ineffective: A significant portion of budget increases are allocated to employee training, with 68% of organizations focusing on this effort, highlighting that investments in upskilling internal employees are increasing, although it may not be a sufficient approach to preventing security incidents today and in the future.
“This research highlights the urgent need for a radical shift in how we approach healthcare cybersecurity,” he says. Chris Bowen“With the increasing frequency and complexity of cyber threats in healthcare, relying on outdated strategies is no longer an option. Organizations must step up their security and compliance efforts—or risk being compromised. The good news is that robust solutions and expert partners are available. By taking decisive action and leveraging specialized cloud security expertise designed specifically for healthcare, organizations can significantly strengthen their defenses and protect their data and patients.”
“These findings reinforce and confirm everything we hear from data security leaders at patient care organizations nationwide about the current state of cybersecurity,” he says. Mark Hagland“The actual threats and attacks are on the rise, and everyone involved in cybersecurity efforts in patient care organizations must meet this moment in order to survive and thrive.”
To view the full report, visit cleardata.com. The survey was conducted in US By Endeavor Business Intelligence on behalf of ClearDATA and Healthcare Innovation. Endeavor sent email invitations to participate in an online survey to members of the Healthcare Innovation database. A group of industry experts were also brought in to assist with data collection. May 20, 2024Endeavor Business Intelligence received 181 qualified responses to the survey.
About ClearDATA
ClearDATA is the leading provider of managed cloud security services for healthcare, offering security and compliance programs specifically designed for healthcare and managed cloud operations, powered by the powerful CyberHealth™ Platform. Our Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM), Managed Detection and Response (MDR), and Cloud Operations solutions provide complete visibility, protection, automation, remediation, and enforcement of security and compliance measures to protect personal health information and other sensitive healthcare data in the public cloud. To learn more about our expert teams, managed and professional services, and CSPM platform, visit cleardata.com.
Media Contact:
Erin Farrell Talbot For ClearDATA
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Source: ClearDATA
