The Role of 24/7 MDR & Vulnerability Management in the Healthcare Industry

The healthcare industry is under attack, a cyberattack that is. The healthcare data breach statistics clearly show an upward trend in breaches over the past 14 years, with 2021 reporting more data breaches than any other year since the OCR began publishing records. In numbers that shocked the world, 2022 saw an average of 1,463 attacks per week. This translates to a 60% increase over the already record-setting previous year. (HIPAA Journal) To combat these threats, security measures that go above and beyond traditional measures are needed. Two methods that many healthcare organizations are implementing to stay ahead of threats are 24/7 MDR and Vulnerability Management. Let’s go through a detailed breakdown of these two and why they are essential to keeping your organization secure around the clock.

What is Managed Detection and Response (MDR)?

Managed Detection Response is a cybersecurity service that combines human expertise with advanced technology to monitor, detect, and respond to threats around the clock. With more than 88% of ransomware attacks occurring outside of regular business hours, it is crucial to have 24/7 monitoring and response capabilities. Sophos offers MDR services that can fill the workforce gap in security, operating around the clock. Sophos reports that MDR users claim 97.5% less on cyber insurance than those who rely solely on endpoint protection.

Components of MDR

In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, maintaining continuous vigilance over patient data and regulatory compliance is essential. Some of the components of MDR that many healthcare organizations find helpful include:

24/7 monitoring of networks, endpoints, and cloud environments to detect malicious activity.
Advanced technology in coordination with human expertise to identify, investigate, and respond to threats.
Proactive threat watch, including reacting to hidden or emerging threats.
Remote response is offered through MDR services, where providers can utilize remote services to mitigate threats, contain incidents, and restore systems.

What is Vulnerability Management?

Vulnerability Management, often a component of MDR, focuses on identifying, assessing, and mitigating security weaknesses in an organization's systems and applications. Sophos analysis shows that 70% of their Managed Risk customers discover unknown exposures during their first service review. Additionally, nearly 40% of organizations that have been hit by ransomware fell victim due to an exposure they weren't aware of.

Components of Vulnerability Management

Vulnerability management includes:

Risk assessment and identifying potential vulnerabilities
Prioritization of vulnerabilities
Remediation, such as patching, configuring, or mitigating vulnerabilities, to reduce the risk of exploitation
Continuous monitoring

Final Thoughts

Healthcare organizations can benefit from both MDR and vulnerability management to achieve a more comprehensive security plan. If your organization needs proactive and around-the-clock vigilance, contact our team at Spectra Networks for a consultation.