Healthcare sector endures surge in cybersecurity attacks, faces headwinds in effort to respond, Podcast with David Lee

Healthcare sector endures surge in cybersecurity attacks, faces headwinds in effort to respond, Podcast with David Lee - Vulnerabilities in outdated medical devices further exacerbate risks, enabling remote manipulation by hackers


The Sunday TR Podcast

David Lee transitioned from a software engineering background to become a harbinger of change and inclusivity in the tech world.

“If you're a company today, as soon as you have a website, you're a tech company,” says David Lee, a noted industry expert in cybersecurity for twenty years, often focusing on call identity and access management. “It doesn't really matter if you're baking bread. In this case, if you are in the medical profession, you're selling plastic bottles, you are now in the tech company. And if you're a tech company, that means you're vulnerable to cybersecurity attacks and threats.” Healthcare, which includes a sprawling number of companies, organizations, suppliers, vendors, contractors and more, not only have the vulnerability of all tech companies, but have the added responsibility to safeguard patient records.

In this podcast we look at the surge in cybersecurity attacks targeting the U.S. healthcare sector, evidenced by a significant increase in data breaches compromising millions of patient records in recent years. Specific incidents like the cyberattack on Change Healthcare underscore the severity of these breaches. Healthcare data breaches continue to be the most financially damaging across industries, costing millions per incident. Vulnerabilities in outdated medical devices further exacerbate risks, enabling remote manipulation by hackers. The healthcare sector's unique challenges, including reliance on closed-off technology and limited integration with external partners, amplify vulnerability to cyber threats.

To address these issues, healthcare entities must adopt comprehensive cybersecurity strategies involving critical functions and stakeholders. However, the industry faces a significant shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals, emphasizing the need for upskilling and training efforts. Effective cybersecurity practices rely not only on technologies but also on skilled individuals for successful implementation and management, underscoring the urgent need for improved cybersecurity measures in healthcare.

David takes us for the big picture to how he helps organizations break the challenge down into bite size bits. “We're going to take a step at a time. Like, here's the 15 steps we're going to have to take. I don't want you to focus that on right now. Right now, step one to two, and then two to three, and then so forth and so on.”

About David Lee

David Lee transitioned from a software engineering background to become a harbinger of change and inclusivity in the tech world. With over two decades of experience, he has left his mark on government agencies, Fortune 500 companies, and numerous fields, specializing in identity and access management. Recognizing that for technology to truly transform the world, it must embrace diversity, David serves as an agent of transformation, inspiring individuals to unlock their full potential. His influential voice and actionable insights have solidified his reputation as a respected figure in the ever-evolving tech landscape. When he speaks people listen.

He is The Identity Jedi. http://www.theidentityjedi.com.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/identityjedi/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamhdavidlee

Healthcare sector endures surge in cybersecurity attacks