In the healthcare sector, Security Operations Centers (SOCs) play a critical role in protecting sensitive patient data and systems from cyber threats.

What is a SOC?

The answer to this question is right in the name: Security Operations Center. SOCs provide a centralized unit or team for monitoring, assessing, and defending against cybersecurity threats across an organization’s infrastructure.

This approach has been gaining steam within the healthcare sector because it supplements traditional or on-site IT teams with a higher level of security expertise so they can focus on day-to-day responsibilities, such as repairing equipment and handling user issues.

Why Should I Consider a SOC for My Healthcare Facility?

Ongoing trends in healthcare cybersecurity highlight the importance of SOCs and their evolving role in defending crucial data assets:

Attacks on Smaller Providers

Small healthcare clinics and centers are increasingly targeted by cyberattacks due to perceived weaker security and less media attention.

There is often a disparity between the expertise of the attackers and the resources of the victim in these scenarios. Understanding community providers, knowing their vulnerabilities, and providing a high level of experience are necessary to prevent successful attacks.

Ransomware Attacks

As a healthcare leader, the mention of ransomware probably sends shudders down your spine—and for good reason. This mode of attack remains a significant threat, targeting computer systems to extort money, often in the form of untraceable cryptocurrency.

Employee Education

Since many data breaches are linked to human error, educating healthcare staff on essential cybersecurity practices, including identifying phishing and pharming techniques, is crucial​​.

These techniques evolve at the speed of human ingenuity, and traditional IT teams may not have the bandwidth to stay abreast of the latest trends, let alone educate your entire staff on leading practices.

Providing IoT Security

The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) devices in healthcare, such as MRI scanners and remote patient monitoring systems, requires heightened security measures to protect against cyberattacks​​.

As modern care modalities demand new technology, threat actors will find more and more ways to infiltrate your protected systems.

Disparate Tool Logs

IT produces lots of logs ranging from endpoints to server applications logs. Stitching together different formats to tell a story is difficult.

A SOC will correlate and enrich logs, facilitating a comprehensive narrative. It can also help manage systems to take the burden off of existing technology staff and ensure that your facility receives maximum protection.

Outsourcing Cybersecurity Professionals

To handle the growing threats and complexities of cybersecurity, both small and large healthcare centers are outsourcing their security operations to professional teams, ensuring more comprehensive monitoring and frequent system audits​​.

MEDTEAM SOC Services

MEDTEAM's information security experts provide highly specialized and comprehensive services designed to establish a secure environment for our clients. Through actively monitoring and triaging threats, we enable community hospitals to focus more on delivering uninterrupted care and exceptional experiences.

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For more information, please reach out to us at inquiries@medhost.com or call 1.800.383.6278.