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From identity to infrastructure: The new healthcare perimeter secured by design

Security isn't a layer in healthcare IT, it's the DNA. From network to identity, digital health demands security built into its foundation.
By admin
Jan 27, 2025, 4:20 PM

Note: This is the second of three articles, sponsored by Spectrum Enterprise, exploring how security by design will help modernize healthcare IT infrastructure to meet the evolving cybersecurity demands in today’s healthcare, including identity as the new perimeter. The first article looked at how software defined networking can help healthcare providers transform into hyperconnected hubs to meet expanded care models. The final article will focus on how healthcare organizations can use redefined networking and secure by design as a foundation for an AI-ready infrastructure.

Let’s face it, healthcare organizations are grappling with security challenges unlike anything we’ve seen before. Today’s cybercriminals aren’t just after data; they’re sophisticated adversaries wielding AI-powered tools and showing relentless determination. They target identity and weak spots in the networks, patiently watch for the smallest opening—whether through a junior employee’s misstep, a third-party vendor’s vulnerability, or an outdated system—to breach defenses. And they’re not just stealing data anymore; they’re launching sophisticated ransomware attacks that can bring entire healthcare systems to their knees, potentially impacting patient care in critical moments. Even more troubling? After a ransom is paid, these bad actors often double down, threatening to sell patient data on the black market or to other cybercriminals.

Enter the concept of secure by design, a shift in how we approach cybersecurity that reimagines how we protect healthcare systems and patient data. Rather than treating security as a layer we add to existing systems, this approach weaves protective measures into the very fabric of healthcare infrastructure. Think of it as building immunity into the healthcare system’s DNA—where every component, from patient portals to clinical applications, inherits and expresses security traits naturally. This security-first mindset ensures that every digital tool and system is born secure, grows securely, and adapts to new threats organically, creating an infrastructure that’s resilient by nature rather than by reinforcement.

The evolving security challenges in healthcare

Here’s a telling finding: the Digital Health Most Wired (DHMW) National Trends Report reveals that security and infrastructure have catapulted to the top of healthcare organizations’ digital transformation priorities. It’s no surprise these two areas are so intimately connected, especially given the security challenges we’re facing today.

Consider the rising trend of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies. The DHMW survey findings reveal that healthcare organizations are increasingly embracing BYOD to help their teams work more flexibly and effectively. On top of that, healthcare organizations are reliant on Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) devices and a growing web of disparate data sources. While this evolution brings exciting opportunities for improved care delivery, it also introduces new security considerations. After all, how do we maintain iron-clad security when the devices accessing sensitive patient data are as diverse as the healthcare professionals using them?

This challenge becomes particularly acute for smaller hospitals and affiliates connected to larger health systems. Remember, a breach or vulnerability can occur anywhere in the network, and smaller healthcare providers often face significant hurdles in implementing robust security measures. Limited IT resources, lack of dedicated security expertise, and insufficient funding can create vulnerable points in our healthcare network. That’s where managed network services are stepping in, bridging this critical gap to maintain comprehensive security across the healthcare ecosystem.

Identity: The cornerstone of modern healthcare security

In today’s healthcare environment, we’re moving away from the old castle-and-moat security model. Instead, imagine identity as your digital fingerprint—unique, impossible to fake, and essential for accessing sensitive information. This identity-based approach is revolutionizing how we secure healthcare systems, especially as care delivery becomes more distributed and flexible.

This shift is particularly powerful as healthcare organizations embrace cloud technologies. Whether you’re a physician checking patient records from your clinic, a nurse accessing lab results from a hospital workstation, or a specialist consulting from home, identity-based controls ensure that the right people have the right access at the right time—all while keeping sensitive information secure.

To enhance identity-based security in our hyperconnected healthcare ecosystem, we need to think about several essential practices. It’s about integrating robust identity governance frameworks, implementing multi-layered security that combines identity verification with network segmentation and encryption, and adopting Zero Trust security frameworks that verify every access request, regardless of its source. For many organizations, especially smaller ones, this might mean engaging with managed network service providers or considering Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solutions that combine networking and security functions in a unified cloud platform.

Weaving security into the infrastructure fabric

The answer lies in thinking about security the way nature thinks about immune systems—as an integral part of the whole rather than a separate defense mechanism. This means embedding security into every layer of our infrastructure, creating a comprehensive defense that works seamlessly with daily operations.

The DHMW survey reveals an encouraging trend: Organizations are increasingly recognizing that security isn’t something to consider after making infrastructure investments; it needs to be part of the initial conversation. This shift in thinking shows a growing maturity in how we approach healthcare technology decisions.

Governance and security: A shared responsibility

Think of security governance as the central nervous system of your healthcare organization. Just as the nervous system coordinates responses throughout the body, effective security must coordinate protection across every piece of infrastructure in your healthcare ecosystem. It doesn’t matter how small or large the role—every access point, device, and data source needs proper safeguards installed, maintained, and monitored.

Looking ahead, the future of healthcare security isn’t about building stronger walls—it’s about creating smarter, more responsive systems that control user identity and access and protect patient data while supporting the innovation and flexibility that modern healthcare demands. By making security as natural and essential as patient care itself, we’re building healthcare systems that are not just secure by design, but secure by nature.


About Spectrum Enterprise

Spectrum Enterprise, a part of Charter Communications, Inc., is a national provider of scalable, fiber technology solutions serving many of America’s largest businesses and communications service providers. The broad Spectrum Enterprise portfolio includes networking and managed services solutionsInternet accessEthernet access and networksVoice and TV solutions. The Spectrum Enterprise team of experts works closely with clients to achieve greater business success by providing solutions designed to meet their evolving needs. For more information, visit enterprise.spectrum.com.


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