While hospital data breaches and ransomware attacks against software systems dominate headlines, another related crisis is looming: the need to protect the physical environments where care is delivered.
According to a KnowBe4 study, the healthcare sector in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region remains a prime target for cybercrime, as it witnesses a surge in ransomware attacks on different institutions. For instance, in Australia, 22% of all data breaches from July to December 2023 came from healthcare, compared with a reported 10% from the financial services sector. In Singapore, a local healthcare IT provider revealed that it intercepted and blocked about 3,000 malicious emails daily, with 1.7 million attempts to breach its firewalls every month.
Just like a cyberattack, a physical security breach can devastate a hospital, resulting in financial and reputational damage that’s hard to recover from, not to mention the potential impact on staff and patient safety.
Hospitals need a multi-layered security strategy to protect both their digital assets and the physical spaces where those assets are used.
Greater need for physical security
By their nature, hospitals are open and welcoming environments, but physical security presents a growing concern. Imagine unauthorised personnel in emergency department (ED) treatment rooms, laboratories and imaging suites, staff areas, and administrative offices. According to the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS), taking the proper steps to control patient and visitor movement is critical to preventing violence and unauthorised access to restricted areas.
While most intrusions may be innocent, think about the havoc a single individual with malicious intent could cause. Nearly one-third of survey respondents were neutral to extremely dissatisfied with their hospital’s current security measures, and another 45% reported they were only somewhat satisfied. These figures demonstrate the ongoing security challenges that hospital executives face.
The healthcare industry is shifting how it manages identity and security, moving from physical to digital identity management solutions and blending physical and cybersecurity measures.
Evolving identity and surveillance solutions
Traditional access control methods like physical ID badges and lanyards still play key roles in hospital security strategies. However, these approaches are increasingly being supplemented — or even replaced — by digital credentials such as mobile and biometric authentication.
Despite these advancements, the move toward digital identity methods presents new challenges.
Healthcare providers must strike a balance between digital solutions and traditional visual identification methods like badges, which remain essential in many areas. Visual ID methods are particularly important in settings where physical identity confirmation is crucial, such as high-traffic zones and sensitive areas.
Updating patient visitor management
It’s likely no surprise that a large portion of facilities still manage visitor and vendor access using paper forms and badges today. However, there is a growing shift towards deploying digital methods.
Providing visual identification for visitors and preventing bad actors from accessing sensitive areas or data helps ensure that healthcare environments remain safe and secure. This not only enhances the visitor experience but also facilitates compliance and reporting needs, which are increasingly important as healthcare regulations become more stringent.
A layered security strategy not only helps safeguard critical infrastructure but also increases the trust and safety of patients, staff, and visitors alike. By adopting future-proof solutions that integrate multiple security layers, healthcare facilities can ensure they are prepared to meet both current and future challenges.
Growing use of real-time location systems
Some healthcare facilities use automated alert systems to provide real-time notifications of potential threats, which trigger a response before an escalated incident can occur.
The duress badge is a valuable addition to automated alert systems, allowing workers to discreetly signal distress by pressing a button on their badge. Unlike panic buttons, which are still in use at some facilities, distress badges are inconspicuous and can prompt a more proactive response from security. When badges are integrated with real-time location systems (RTLS), security personnel can pinpoint precisely where assistance is required.
Automated systems that integrate both cyber and physical security measures can contribute to a more resilient and responsive healthcare security environment.
The future of healthcare security
A future where cyber and physical security challenges are tackled at the same time is foreseeable. The goal is to create a comprehensive security framework that can adapt to the complexities of modern healthcare facilities.
Adopting a layered approach to security and taking advantage of emerging technologies will help prepare institutions for a safer future, one that protects patients, staff, buildings, and data.
