How to Build Cybersecurity Awareness for Clinicians
Cybersecurity in healthcare is a patient safety issue. With 112 million individuals affected by healthcare data breaches in 2023 and an average breach costing $9.77 million, clinicians play a vital role in protecting sensitive patient data. Human error accounts for 95% of breaches, making training and awareness critical.
Key Takeaways:
- Healthcare is a prime cyberattack target: Ransomware has delayed 71% of procedures and extended hospital stays for 48% of patients.
- Clinicians are essential to security: They directly handle critical systems and sensitive data.
- Training is key: Focus on phishing awareness, secure data handling, and HIPAA compliance.
- Actionable steps: Assess current knowledge, create tailored training, and regularly update content to address evolving threats.
Quick Start:
- Assess cybersecurity habits using surveys and behavior monitoring.
- Identify gaps like weak password management or phishing vulnerabilities.
- Develop role-specific training with hands-on labs and self-paced modules.
- Monitor progress with pre- and post-training assessments and adjust as needed.
By making cybersecurity part of daily routines, clinicians can help safeguard patient care and data against growing threats.
Step 1: Check Current Security Knowledge and Habits
Measure Current Security Skills
Start by assessing current cybersecurity practices. Use tools like the Security Risk Assessment (SRA) Tool to create a structured evaluation process. This step helps you understand where your team stands and what needs attention.
Here’s how to measure security skills effectively:
-
Conduct Security Surveys
Design questionnaires to gauge employees' understanding of key areas like:- Password management
- Handling sensitive data
- Device security
- Recognizing phishing attempts
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Monitor Security Behaviors
Observe real-world behaviors such as login habits, data access patterns, mobile device usage, and how staff respond to security alerts.
The goal is to identify weaknesses that can be addressed through targeted training.
Find Training Gaps
Human error is responsible for 95% of cybersecurity breaches [2]. Pinpointing specific vulnerabilities is critical. Use the table below to identify common problem areas:
| Challenge Area | Assessment Method | Common Issues |
|---|---|---|
| Implementation | Security Audits | Limited time and resources |
| Workflow Impact | Process Analysis | Disruptions to clinical operations |
| Staff Compliance | Behavior Monitoring | Resistance to security measures |
| System Complexity | Technical Assessment | Difficulties integrating with systems |
Once gaps are identified, you can focus on setting actionable goals.
Set Clear Training Goals
With breaches posing serious risks, it's essential to set specific objectives. Here are some examples:
- Reduce unauthorized access attempts.
- Ensure stronger password compliance.
- Improve phishing awareness test results.
- Strengthen secure data handling practices.
Tools like Censinet RiskOps™ can help track progress in real time. Regular benchmarking and risk assessments are especially important for organizations dealing with sensitive patient data or clinical applications.
Step 2: Create a Clinical Security Training Plan
Write Clear Training Materials
Healthcare breaches have surged by 239% over the past four years [4]. To address this, develop training materials that align with clinical workflows and are easy to follow.
Key topics to cover include:
- HIPAA compliance
- Device security
- Clinical application safety
- Protecting patient data
Incorporate real-life examples from your facility to make the lessons more relatable. For instance, when teaching secure communication, show how to properly use HIPAA-compliant platforms like TigerConnect or Updox, which can integrate with existing EHR systems [7].
Once your materials are ready, use varied teaching methods to ensure the lessons stick.
Mix Training Methods
Interactive learning has been shown to improve cybersecurity understanding [6]. To make your training more engaging, use a variety of methods:
| Training Method | Purpose | Implementation |
|---|---|---|
| Hands-on Labs | Practice security skills | Set up firewalls and analyze network traffic |
| Clinical Simulations | Test response scenarios | Simulate handling compromised medical devices |
| Team Exercises | Build collaboration skills | Conduct vulnerability assessments |
| Online Modules | Allow self-paced learning | Use interactive security courses |
Incorporating these methods will help reinforce the training and make it more effective.
Include Healthcare Security Tools
Clinicians use secure tools daily, so training should seamlessly integrate these into their routines. Focus on tools that support daily operations while maintaining HIPAA compliance.
Examples of tools to train on:
- Secure messaging platforms (e.g., Weave [7])
- Document management systems (e.g., TrueVault [7])
- Risk assessment tools (e.g., Censinet RiskOps™)
- Automated compliance tools
Since human error accounts for 88% of breaches [5], training should emphasize practical, hands-on usage of these tools. Teach clinicians how to apply them effectively in their everyday workflows to reduce risks and enhance security.
Cybersecurity Awareness Training For Healthcare Professionals
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Step 3: Launch the Security Training Program
With your gaps identified and training materials prepared, it's time to roll out your program. Focus on gaining leadership support and creating a schedule that works for busy clinical staff.
Secure Leadership Support
Getting executives on board is crucial. Highlight key points like compliance, reducing risks, resource needs, and a phased implementation. Here's what to emphasize:
- Compliance: Reference HIPAA guidelines, Joint Commission standards, and CMS Emergency Preparedness Rule requirements.
- Risk Reduction: Stress the importance of preventing breaches and safeguarding patient data.
- Resource Needs: Outline required budgets and staff time commitments.
- Implementation Plan: Propose a phased rollout to ease the process.
"Every hospital C-Suite executive needs to support a good cybersecurity program, which includes training clinical staff on the basics." – Mark Jarrett, Chairman of the Healthcare and Public Health Sector Coordinating Council (HSCC) [8]
Once leadership is on board, focus on integrating training into clinicians' packed schedules.
Schedule Training Sessions
With leadership backing secured, the next step is to plan training times that fit into clinical workflows. HSCC's "Cybersecurity for the Clinician" series, for example, offers 45 minutes of training split into eight short episodes that include CME/CEU credits [8]. Consider these scheduling approaches:
- Short Modules: Offer 10-minute interactive sessions between patient visits.
- Flexible, Self-Paced Options: Provide online modules that staff can access anytime.
- Department-Specific Timing: Schedule sessions during existing meetings or slower periods.
Prioritize Patient Care
Training should never interfere with patient care. Use mobile-friendly formats and design sessions that fit seamlessly into current workflows. Tailor the content to meet the specific needs and skill levels of each department. Incorporate real-life examples from your facility to ensure the material feels relevant and practical for daily use [3]. This approach keeps training meaningful and immediately applicable.
Step 4: Track Results and Update Training
Once training is in place, the next step is to keep a close eye on progress and make updates as needed. With cybersecurity threats evolving, constant monitoring and timely adjustments are essential.
Monitor Key Metrics
Keep an eye on important metrics like:
- Knowledge: Use pre- and post-training assessments or quizzes.
- Behavior: Look at incident reports and compliance rates.
- Culture: Gather insights from surveys and employee feedback.
- Incident Frequency: Track how often security issues occur.
For example, KnowBe4's Security Awareness Proficiency Assessment (SAPA) evaluates user skills in seven critical areas, including email security, password management, and social media use [9]. This kind of data helps identify gaps and refine training efforts.
Conduct Security Tests
Regular security tests are a great way to reinforce training and identify vulnerabilities. The February 2024 UnitedHealth/Optum breach, where BlackCat ransomware exposed 6TB of sensitive healthcare data, highlights the need for these tests [10].
Focus on areas like:
- Simulating phishing attacks targeting clinical staff.
- Reviewing how patient data is handled.
- Testing incident reporting processes.
- Evaluating mobile device security practices.
"Ongoing trainings must be implemented for employees so they have a better understanding of what to look for and the actions to take should they find something suspicious. Cybersecurity awareness training is key to promoting an employee culture of vigilance where employees take pride and do their part to protect their patients and overall organization."
- Rob Cataldo, Vice President of U.S. Enterprise Sales at Kaspersky [11]
Refresh Training Content Regularly
The 239% increase in cyber threats makes it clear: training content needs regular updates. Focus on:
- New threat patterns targeting healthcare providers.
- Changes in compliance regulations.
- Feedback from staff and assessment results.
- Lessons learned from recent breaches.
Use real-world examples like the McLaren Health Care breach (affecting 2.2 million patients) and Truepill's incident (impacting 2.3 million customers) [10] to make training more relevant. Keeping content updated ensures your team is prepared for emerging challenges.
Conclusion: Making Security Part of Daily Work
Balancing cybersecurity with patient care is crucial for clinicians. With healthcare data being a prime target for attacks [3], it's essential for organizations to build a culture where security becomes an everyday habit.
Tips for IT Leaders
Healthcare IT leaders play a vital role in fostering security awareness without disrupting clinical workflows. Tools like Censinet's RiskOps™ platform can simplify security processes while keeping patient care at the forefront. Here are some strategies to consider:
- Integrate security into workflows: Ensure security measures align with clinical processes to minimize disruptions.
- Empower clinical staff: Cleveland Clinic's CISO Vugar Zeynalov emphasizes, "Traditionally, cybersecurity professionals have said that the most vulnerable element of any system is the human element. However, a well-trained caregiver can be the most versatile line of defense." [12]
- Establish dedicated channels: Regularly share updates on emerging threats and best practices to keep staff informed.
These steps can help healthcare leaders strengthen their organization's security posture right away.
Start Improving Security Today
It's time for leaders to take action and embed security into the organization's culture. With 74% of data breaches caused by human error, misuse, or social engineering [15], the urgency for immediate improvements is clear.
| Action Item | Implementation Approach | Expected Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Role-Based Training | Tailor security training to specific roles | Reduces confusion and boosts engagement |
| Regular Assessments | Schedule evaluations every 4–6 months | Identifies and addresses knowledge gaps |
| Recognition Program | Reward staff for strong security practices | Increases motivation and participation |
"When leaders prioritize security and embed it into the culture - making it part of everyday discussions and logistics - awareness naturally follows." - Rob Lee, chief of research and head of faculty at SANS Institute [14]
Achieving robust security requires commitment across the organization. Lisa J. Pino, Director of the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, stresses this point: "All too often, we see that risk analyses only cover the electronic health record. I cannot underscore enough the importance of enterprise-wide risk analysis. Risk management strategies need to be comprehensive in scope." [13]
