Hiring for Healthcare Cybersecurity Roles? Target These Skills

In the modern age, many tasks have transformed to being done digitally, which has created the need for cybersecurity roles to protect important information and processes that are stored online. These roles go far beyond the IT industry, where most people think of cybersecurity. Healthcare cybersecurity is essential since records and documentation are often stored and processed digitally. It’s an important part of protecting patient privacy. 

Increasingly sophisticated cyber threats such as data breaches and ransomware attacks disproportionately target healthcare and public health organizations. This trend is due to the intersection of two factors. First, patient data includes valuable details which makes it a big target for potential hackers. Second, legacy software and various interfaces increase the industry’s vulnerability. 

According to the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR), cyber incidents in healthcare are on the rise. From 2018 to 2022, there was a 93% increase in large breaches reported to the OCR, with a 278% increase in large breaches involving ransomware. 

Due to the potential consequences of a data breach, it’s important that all your healthcare industry staff receive robust cybersecurity training—not just your cybersecurity team itself. 

Here’s a deeper look at why cybersecurity is vital in today’s healthcare industry, as well as the specific skills to look for when hiring for cybersecurity roles. 

5 Reasons Cybersecurity In Healthcare Settings Is Essential

The healthcare industry requires extensive cybersecurity roles to effectively protect sensitive patient information, ensures patient safety, and prevents cyber disruptions that could negatively impact routine processes—and worse case—could affect patient safety. 

Now that we’ve given a quick overview of the importance of healthcare cybersecurity roles, let’s get further into the specific advantages that these roles provide. 

Protect Patient Data 

Electronic health records (EHRs), financial information, and DNA data are incredibly valuable to cybercriminals who can use them for medical identity theft, fraud, or selling on the black market. To protect your patients’ personal information, it’s vital to find qualified healthcare cybersecurity professionals with the expertise to defend against potential data breaches. 

Ensure Patient Safety 

Increasingly, medical devices are connected to hospital networks through the Internet of Things (IOT). By hiring a team of skilled healthcare cybersecurity professionals, you can help maintain the integrity and security of your facility, which reduces any risks your patients may face. 

Regulatory Compliance 

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the U.S. and similar regulations worldwide mandate that healthcare providers take appropriate steps to safeguard patient data. Building a team of strong cybersecurity talent can ensure that your organization complies with these regulations. 

Defend Against Disruptions 

Disruptions to critical systems due to cyberattacks can also delay treatment. Ransomware attacks can result in a loss of electronic health records, imaging systems, and telehealth services, which impacts hospital operations. A strong cyber defense can prevent these situations from occurring. 

Avoid Financial Repercussions 

Cyberattacks can be very expensive, with significant costs associated with repairing damage, notifying patients, and potentially providing credit monitoring. Plus, business disruptions can lead to lost revenue. With a team focused on preventing these attacks, your company has less reason to worry about recouping financial losses caused by breaches. 

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RELATED: Upskilling, Reskilling, & Preskilling in Healthcare 

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Skills to Target When Hiring Healthcare Cybersecurity Professionals 

When building a healthcare cybersecurity team, you want candidates with a deep understanding of the sector and its regulatory landscape. Beyond technical expertise, successful healthcare cybersecurity professionals must possess a well-rounded skillset specific to the industry. Here’s what to look for in cybersecurity candidates. 

Technical Prowess 

Cybersecurity professionals should have a strong foundation in: 

• Network security 
• Firewalls 
• Intrusion detection and prevention systems 
• Data encryption 
• Secure coding practices 

Healthcare Industry Knowledge 

The healthcare digital ecosystem is a complex network comprised of EHRs, picture archiving and communication systems, and various medical devices. During the hiring process, it’s helpful to target individuals with a deep understanding of these systems, their vulnerabilities, and the potential impact of security breaches on patient safety and care delivery.  

If industry knowledge is your priority, you may want to consider upskilling your current IT team to focus on cybersecurity, or reskilling nursing staff with new responsibilities like information management and data analysis. If these ideas seem worthwhile, let Insight Global help you upskill your healthcare team. 

Policy-Informed Cybersecurity Practices 

Candidates will need to be able to translate compliance requirements like HIPAA into actionable security measures. Data privacy laws and policies tend to change, so it’s important to be able to transform policies into practical security measures. 

Risk Management 

Identifying, assessing, and prioritizing cybersecurity risks specific to healthcare is a vital part of the role. Risk management includes vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and implementing risk mitigation strategies. 

Incident Response 

Although the hope is to prevent all attacks, bad actors sometimes find ways to break through. A quick and effective response during an attack can save lives and an organization’s reputation. This swift response includes incident detection, containment, eradication, and recovery procedures. 

Communication and Collaboration 

Communication skills allow cybersecurity professionals to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences like clinicians and administrators, which helps ensure that all members of the team are aware of their role in preventing cyberattacks. 

The ability to collaborate across departments, including information technology (IT) teams, medical professionals, and executive leadership, confirms they can successfully execute security measures. 

Adaptability, Problem-Solving, and Analytical Skills 

Adaptability and creative thinking are essential in effectively addressing new and emerging threats. Problem-solving and analytical skills help these professionals devise security solutions, assess system vulnerabilities, and troubleshoot technical issues.  

Passion for Innovation 

The cybersecurity threat landscape is constantly evolving. Cybersecurity professionals must be committed to continuously learning and staying up to date on the latest threats, vulnerabilities, and security solutions. 

Hire Cybersecurity Professionals with Healthcare Expertise 

By targeting candidates with the right skills, you can build a cybersecurity team capable of safeguarding sensitive patient data, ensuring regulatory compliance, and maintaining the integrity and availability of vital healthcare systems. 

Let Insight Global become your one-stop-shop for your staffing needs. Our decades of experience as an IT staffing company and growing domination in the healthcare staffing industry means we are uniquely equipped to discover talent that suits your needs.  

With our exclusive knowledge of the healthcare sector’s requirements, and our proven background in hiring for IT roles, our ability to find candidates is top of the line. We’ll match you with pre-vetted, top-tier cybersecurity professionals who not only meet the skill set needed, but also fit well with your company culture. 

Ready to fortify your defenses? Contact our team today to get started.