In the world of healthcare, data can be both lifesaving for patients and a vulnerability in terms of security for organizations. The information is used by healthcare professionals to solve medical issues and by hackers as a target rich with sensitive information. Due to this Sophos, a global cybersecurity leader, suggests that healthcare today is as much about securing patient data as it is about providing effective patient care. The old moat and castle approach to security is no longer enough to safeguard patient data, and compliance regulations have begun to recognize this.
Healthcare compliance is not a one-time activity. As the risks and vulnerabilities evolve, so too should the security measures. The 2025 Cybersecurity Trends Report indicated that almost half (48%) of healthcare organizations have experienced at least one cybersecurity incident over the past year. Individually, over 44 million Americans had their protected health information (PHI) compromised due to over 700 large-scale breaches.
This continued onslaught of the healthcare community illustrates how the industry continues to be an attractive and vulnerable target for cybercriminals. The HIPAA Journal reports that “Healthcare breaches cost an average of $7.42 million per incident,” the costliest of any industry.
Knowing this, many healthcare organizations have shifted to a Zero Trust Approach or Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA). Let’s talk about it and what the main principles are that can make your healthcare network more secure.
What Is Zero Trust?
In short, Zero Trust is a cybersecurity framework with the motto, “never trust, always verify.” Prior to the adoption of this strategy, users and devices within the network were considered safe. Zero Trust takes away that assumption of safety, regardless of where in the network the access is coming from.
In a Zero Trust model within the healthcare industry, no user or device is trusted, whether they are sitting at the nurse’s station or logging in from a home office, until they prove who they are. ZTNA eliminates implicit trust, requiring strict identity authentication and authorization for every user and device attempting to access resources.
Zero Trust matters in the world of healthcare due to the proliferation of devices from insulin pumps to smart beds that become “doors” for cyber criminals to access healthcare information.
What Are the Principles of Zero Trust?
There are several core principles that healthcare providers should practice to implement the Zero Trust model, including verification, the concept of least privileged access and assume a breach will occur.
Explicit Verification
Zero Trust isn’t just about checking a password; it is about checking the user’s identity, their location, the health of their device, including updates and patches and the type of data they are trying to access.
Least Privileged Access
The concept behind this practice is the idea of only giving access to what the user needs access to – the “need to know” basis. For instance, a billing agent at a hospital does not need access to raw data from PET scans, MRIs or blood work. A surgeon, likewise, does not need access to billing data. Therefore, access is only given for what is necessary for the specific job, minimizing exposure of data.
Assume a Breach
This concept assumes that there is already a breach that needs to be contained by segmenting networks, encrypting end-to-end, and using analytics.
The healthcare industry faces significant and costly cybersecurity risks, making the traditional security models obsolete. The shift to a Zero Trust (ZTNA) framework, built on the principle of “never trust, always verify,” is essential for safeguarding patient data. Implementing Zero Trust means enforcing strict security checks through Explicit Verification, limiting access through the Least Privileged Access principle, and preparing for inevitable threats by adopting the Assume a Breach mindset. Secure your sensitive healthcare information and ensure compliance against evolving threats. Contact Spectra Networks to discuss implementing a comprehensive Zero Trust strategy for your organization.