“Healthcare Doesn’t Need Another GRC Tool - It Needs a Network”
Post Summary
Healthcare is facing a cybersecurity crisis. In 2024, 237 million U.S. residents were affected by healthcare data breaches, with attacks costing organizations millions in fines and operational disruptions. Traditional GRC tools, while useful for compliance tracking, are static and struggle to keep up with modern cyber threats. Healthcare systems are increasingly interconnected, making them vulnerable to attacks through third-party vendors and outdated defenses.
The solution? A network-based approach. By sharing real-time threat intelligence and collaborating across organizations, healthcare providers can respond to risks faster, reduce breach impacts, and streamline vendor management. Platforms like Censinet RiskOps™ are leading this shift, enabling secure, real-time data sharing and automating risk assessments. This collaborative model offers a way forward in protecting sensitive patient data and ensuring uninterrupted care delivery.
Key takeaways:
- Data breaches are rising: 1,710 incidents in 2024, many linked to third-party vendors.
- Static defenses are outdated: GRC tools can't adapt to today's fast-changing threats.
- Collaboration is critical: Real-time intelligence sharing improves response times and mitigates risks.
- Censinet RiskOps™ example: A network-driven platform tailored for healthcare cybersecurity.
Healthcare must move beyond isolated tools to a collaborative, network-based strategy to safeguard its operations and patient data.
Tackling Cyber Threats in Healthcare with Censinet
Why Healthcare Needs a Network-Based Approach
The interconnected nature of healthcare today demands a cybersecurity strategy that reflects its collaborative ecosystem. Hospitals, pharmacies, insurers, and device manufacturers are all linked through digital networks, creating both opportunities and vulnerabilities.
How Healthcare Systems Connect
Modern healthcare is a web of interdependent systems. These connections - while essential for efficient care - open doors for cyberattacks. The more integrated these systems become, the more potential entry points hackers can exploit [1].
Healthcare organizations often rely on hundreds of vendors, from cloud services managing patient data to companies supplying life-saving medical devices. Each vendor adds another layer of risk. For example, NOHN implemented incident management software that reduced resolution times by 70% and saved 18 administrative hours per month [6]. While this shows the benefits of technology, it also highlights the importance of securing these partnerships.
The stakes are incredibly high in healthcare. Stolen health records are worth significantly more than other types of data. On average, the cost to remediate a healthcare breach is US$408 per record - nearly triple the cost of breaches in other industries [7]. Real-world cases illustrate the danger. In July 2023, HCA Healthcare faced a cyberattack that exposed the personal information of over 11 million patients. The stolen data ended up on the dark web, sparking a class-action lawsuit against the company for weak data protection [8]. Another example is the May 2021 ransomware attack on Ireland’s Health Service Executive (HSE), which forced a government-mandated shutdown of its systems. The attack was linked to the Conti ransomware group, reportedly operated by a Russian cybercrime organization [8].
Most healthcare systems rely on perimeter-based security models. Once that outer layer is breached, the entire network can be compromised. This highlights the urgent need for a collaborative approach to address evolving threats in real time.
Benefits of Real-Time Collaboration
Traditional governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) tools often rely on static reports and periodic assessments, which are no match for the fast-changing nature of cyber threats. Real-time collaboration, on the other hand, transforms how organizations detect and respond to attacks. By sharing threat intelligence across networks, healthcare providers can identify emerging risks faster and adopt best practices based on others' experiences [5]. This approach also reduces the financial impact of breaches by minimizing downtime. For context, one minute of downtime costs small businesses an average of US$427, while larger enterprises lose about US$9,000 [2].
Continuous monitoring powered by AI takes this a step further. For instance, AI-driven systems can keep an eye on IoT devices, stopping threats in their tracks - even zero-day vulnerabilities [3]. During incidents, enhanced situational awareness helps teams make better decisions and coordinate effectively [4]. AstraZeneca’s security team demonstrated this during collaborative events, which brought together resources, notifications, and tasks in one place. As one team member explained:
"Collaborate events serve as a collective hub for manual processes, notifications, assigned tasks and resources." [4]
This approach also tackles one of the most persistent issues in cybersecurity: human error. Mistakes, carelessness, and social engineering attacks like phishing remain the leading causes of breaches [1]. By sharing real-time intelligence, organizations can warn each other about emerging threats and prevent attacks from spreading.
A network-based model also levels the playing field for smaller healthcare organizations. Many lack the resources to combat cyberattacks on their own [1]. By pooling knowledge and resources, smaller players can benefit from the expertise and investments of larger systems. While interconnected systems increase vulnerabilities, they also create opportunities for collective defense. This shift toward collaboration offers a way to strengthen resilience against cyberattacks - something no single organization can achieve alone.
Network-Based Cybersecurity Solutions
Stepping away from conventional GRC tools calls for practical, network-driven strategies that enhance threat detection, incident response, and vendor risk management.
Shared Threat Intelligence Databases
Shared threat intelligence databases allow healthcare organizations to combine their cybersecurity resources, creating a collective defense. Instead of tackling threats individually, these databases enable organizations to share insights on emerging risks, attack methods, and effective defenses. For instance, the Health Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Health-ISAC) facilitates collaboration among hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and other healthcare providers, helping them quickly identify and prepare for threats like ransomware.
To maintain security and privacy, anonymized data and automated threat intelligence platforms allow organizations to exchange critical cybersecurity information without exposing sensitive details. Legal agreements and ethical guidelines ensure confidentiality, fostering a safer digital environment. This shared intelligence forms the foundation for a unified and swift response to incidents.
Collaborative Incident Response Frameworks
Building on shared intelligence, networked incident response frameworks ensure coordinated action during cyberattacks. When a cyberattack strikes, every second counts. These frameworks unite resources and expertise across organizations, enabling faster and more efficient responses. They provide a structured approach with clear objectives for managing incidents, supported by targeted playbooks and specialized response teams.
Tailored playbooks for specific attack scenarios, coupled with rapid response teams of skilled security professionals, help healthcare organizations minimize downtime and damage. Integrating real-time threat intelligence into these processes enhances the ability to anticipate and address threats quickly. Continuous monitoring of network activity also helps detect attackers' movements, improving overall incident response outcomes [9].
Streamlined Vendor Risk Management
Applying a network-based approach to vendor relationships simplifies risk management across the healthcare ecosystem. With partnerships ranging from cloud service providers to medical device manufacturers, healthcare organizations face a complex web of third-party risks. A centralized, transparent system transforms this web into a more manageable framework, improving visibility into vendor-related vulnerabilities.
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How Censinet Powers Network-Based Cybersecurity
Healthcare organizations are grappling with increasingly complex cybersecurity challenges, and the need for an integrated platform has never been greater. Censinet RiskOps™ steps up to the plate, offering a network-driven solution that transforms shared intelligence into actionable outcomes for healthcare providers.
Censinet RiskOps™: Built Specifically for Healthcare
Censinet RiskOps™ is a cloud-based risk exchange designed to facilitate secure, real-time data sharing between healthcare organizations and their vendors [11][13]. Unlike traditional GRC tools, this platform is tailored to the unique demands of hospitals, health systems, and healthcare vendors, addressing their distinct cybersecurity needs.
By adopting a network model, the platform delivers real-time risk visibility and speeds up cyber risk mitigation through automation [10]. With over 100 provider and payer facilities participating in its Risk Network [10], Censinet RiskOps™ enables a community-driven approach. When one organization detects a new threat or vulnerability, the entire network benefits from that knowledge.
"With ransomware growing more pervasive every day, and AI adoption outpacing our ability to manage it, healthcare organizations need faster and more effective solutions than ever before to protect care delivery from disruption."
– Ed Gaudet, CEO and Founder of Censinet [12]
The platform's Digital Risk Catalog™ includes data on over 50,000 vendors and products [10][11], simplifying vendor risk assessments and empowering organizations to make informed, data-backed decisions.
This collaborative framework sets the stage for stronger, more unified cybersecurity practices.
Tools That Drive Collaboration
Censinet RiskOps™ is packed with features that make network collaboration effortless. For instance, its 1-Click Sharing feature allows organizations to instantly share risk assessments and security insights with trusted partners, streamlining the entire process [10].
The Censinet AITM tool takes efficiency to a new level by slashing the time needed for third-party risk assessments. What used to take weeks can now be done in seconds [12]. This AI-powered tool automatically analyzes vendor documentation, highlights key product integration details, and identifies potential fourth-party risks, ensuring both speed and accuracy.
Another standout feature is Delta-Based Reassessments, which significantly cut reassessment times to less than one day, a stark contrast to the drawn-out cycles of traditional methods [10].
These capabilities are making a real difference in the field. James Case, VP & CISO at Baptist Health, shared:
"Not only did we get rid of spreadsheets, but we have that larger community [of hospitals] to partner and work with." [11]
Real-Time Oversight and Compliance Solutions
Effective cybersecurity requires continuous oversight, and Censinet RiskOps™ delivers with automated workflows and a centralized command center. This setup provides real-time insights into overdue remediations, missing documentation, and open risks [10].
The platform also simplifies GRC collaboration by automatically routing assessment results and related tasks to the appropriate stakeholders for review and approval [12]. For healthcare organizations navigating complex regulations like HIPAA, Censinet RiskOps™ acts as a centralized hub for managing AI-related policies, risks, and tasks, ensuring compliance efforts are streamlined across the board [12].
Collaboration doesn’t stop at healthcare providers. Partnerships with technology leaders further strengthen the platform. Ben Schreiner, Head of Business Innovation for SMB, U.S. at AWS, highlighted:
"Our collaboration with Censinet brings innovative AI capabilities to healthcare organizations facing an evolving and more ominous cyber threat landscape." [12]
This collaborative approach ensures healthcare organizations remain ahead in the fight against cyber threats while addressing their industry-specific challenges effectively.
GRC Tools vs. Network-Based Solutions: A Comparison
Healthcare organizations today face a pressing decision: stick with traditional GRC tools or transition to network-driven solutions that offer real-time threat intelligence [15]. With 70% of healthcare organizations targeted by cyberattacks and cybercrime losses projected to surpass $6 trillion by 2025 [15], the stakes couldn't be higher. This comparison highlights the growing need to move from static frameworks to dynamic, responsive cybersecurity measures.
GRC tools are helpful for managing documentation and ensuring compliance, but they fall short when it comes to real-time threat response [14]. While these tools serve a purpose, they struggle to keep up with today’s rapidly changing cyber risks.
On the other hand, network-based solutions use AI and machine learning to monitor threats in real time, automate responses, and streamline workflows [15][16]. They also improve collaboration across teams and external partners [14], tackling one of the healthcare sector’s most significant cybersecurity hurdles.
Comparison Factors
Here’s how traditional GRC tools and network-based solutions stack up against each other:
| Factor | Traditional GRC Tools | Network-Based Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Threat Detection Speed | Scheduled evaluations | Real-time monitoring across surface, deep, and dark web [15] |
| Collaboration Capability | Limited to internal teams and static reporting | Instant collaboration with external partners [16] |
| Adaptability | Rigid defenses with delayed responses | AI-driven systems that learn and adapt to emerging threats [16] |
| Vendor Risk Management | Manual, time-consuming assessments | Automated assessments with faster insights |
| Regulatory Compliance | Focused on documentation | Real-time compliance tracking with automated workflows |
| Cost of Breach Impact | Limited prevention capabilities | Proactive threat mitigation to reduce breach impact |
The numbers paint a stark picture. In 2023, the average cost of a healthcare data breach reached $10.10 million [16], with ransomware accounting for 34% of all cyber incidents in the sector [16]. Data breaches in healthcare also rose by 25% in 2023 compared to the previous year [16].
Network-based solutions directly address these challenges by providing real-time threat intelligence that monitors multiple risk vectors simultaneously [15]. Unlike traditional tools that rely on scheduled assessments, these systems detect and counteract threats immediately [16].
The rise of IoT in healthcare further underscores the gap. With 55% of medical device security incidents tied to IoT vulnerabilities [15], traditional GRC tools often lag behind the fast-evolving landscape of connected devices. Network-based solutions, however, adapt in real time, learning from new threats as they emerge.
A notable example comes from a threat intelligence provider:
"ThreatMon assists healthcare providers in promptly securing personal health information (PHI) to prevent data breaches and comply with regulations like HIPAA by identifying exposure in real time." [15]
This shift - from periodic, documentation-heavy strategies to continuous, intelligence-driven approaches - is transformative. For healthcare organizations navigating an increasingly complex cyber landscape, choosing network-based solutions could be the difference between preventing a breach and becoming another victim of cybercrime.
Conclusion: A New Era in Healthcare Cybersecurity
Healthcare finds itself at a critical juncture. In 2024, an alarming 92% of healthcare organizations reported facing cyberattacks, with the most expensive incidents costing an average of $4.7 million [17]. The old ways of managing governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) - relying on isolated, paperwork-heavy systems - are no longer enough. The industry now requires a more connected, dynamic approach.
Network-based cybersecurity solutions are leading the way, offering continuous threat detection, automated responses, and better collaboration across the entire healthcare ecosystem. This shift from periodic assessments to real-time intelligence sharing is fundamentally changing how cyber risks are managed. Industry voices are echoing this need for change:
"Healthcare organizations must revisit their entire cybersecurity strategy for threats ranging from ransomware to phishing and cloud vulnerabilities, which are often caused by weak controls."
- Greg Young, Vice President of Cybersecurity, Trend Micro [17]
One example of this evolution is Censinet RiskOps™, which has already built a risk network involving over 50,000 vendors and products within the healthcare sector. This platform redefines cyber risk management by harnessing the power of network collaboration to deliver actionable insights and improve operational efficiency. The results speak for themselves, with healthcare organizations reporting measurable improvements in efficiency [11].
The integration of Censinet AI takes this transformation even further, simplifying risk management processes while ensuring the secure use of AI technologies [12]. As cybercriminals increasingly leverage AI and machine learning to create more sophisticated threats [17], healthcare organizations must adopt equally advanced tools that can keep pace. This combination of network-based solutions and AI integration reflects the future of cybersecurity for the healthcare industry.
The evidence is clear: adopting network-driven cybersecurity allows healthcare organizations to detect threats faster, respond more effectively, and maintain compliance without disruption. With patient safety and data protection at the heart of healthcare, the choice is not just about upgrading technology - it’s about safeguarding the future of the entire industry.
FAQs
Why is a network-based approach better for healthcare cybersecurity than traditional GRC tools?
A network-driven strategy is reshaping healthcare cybersecurity by offering instant threat detection, active risk management, and efficient collaboration. Unlike conventional GRC tools that center on compliance and reporting, a network encourages shared knowledge and joint problem-solving, essential for tackling today’s intricate and interconnected cyber risks.
With a network in place, healthcare organizations gain access to current threat insights, can respond to incidents more swiftly, and simplify vendor risk management. This collaborative approach creates a more adaptable, responsive, and robust defense against cybersecurity challenges in the healthcare sector.
How does Censinet RiskOps™ help healthcare organizations strengthen cybersecurity and manage risks more effectively?
Censinet RiskOps™ helps healthcare organizations tackle cybersecurity challenges by automating risk assessments, offering real-time insights, and encouraging collaboration between vendors and security teams. This approach makes managing vendor risks simpler while strengthening overall cybersecurity defenses.
Using a network-based model, Censinet RiskOps™ allows healthcare providers to stay proactive against threats, share essential intelligence, and handle incidents more effectively. This ensures patient data and systems are protected in today’s ever-evolving digital environment.
What advantages can smaller healthcare organizations gain from joining a network-based cybersecurity model?
Smaller healthcare organizations can strengthen their cybersecurity efforts by joining a network-based model. This approach offers real-time threat detection, giving them early alerts about potential dangers. With quicker warnings, they can act promptly and reduce the impact of threats.
Another advantage is shared threat intelligence. By participating in this model, these organizations gain access to a wealth of insights and data that might otherwise be unavailable to them. This shared knowledge helps them stay informed and better prepared.
Finally, collective response capabilities allow smaller healthcare providers to work together with other organizations to tackle cybersecurity challenges. This collaboration not only makes their efforts more effective but also helps them make the most of their limited resources while boosting their overall security posture.
