IT security within the healthcare industry is currently facing a major staffing crisis. Cybersecurity talent shortages have delivered significant blows throughout virtually every vertical, but the healthcare sector has been hit especially hard.
A 2017 report released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services noted that the employment gap within the healthcare vertical is so severe that nearly three out of four surveyed hospitals do not even have a designated security person, let alone the full team of security professionals needed to prevent data breaches and protect patient records.
Why is there such a gaping IT security personnel hole in so many healthcare organizations?
For many health systems, not having a fully staffed security team is a direct result of the severe lack of qualified candidates in the security talent pool. There simply aren’t enough applicants to fill the available cybersecurity positions – and those that actually do apply often don’t have the required training and experience.
Additionally, for many healthcare providers, their severely understaffed IT team boils down to bottom line dollars.
Faced with tight budgets and dwindling candidate resources, managers in every healthcare sector are meeting the IT staffing crisis head-on by outsourcing their security needs to managed security service provider (MSSP) that specializes in healthcare cybersecurity.
This alternative approach to the traditional, full-time hiring model delivers several benefits to healthcare providers in every niche, including:
A fully assembled cybersecurity team
A qualified and skilled cybersecurity firm eliminates every step in the hiring process except for, well, the actual hire. Your chosen provider will have a well-established team of trained IT professionals ready to run portions of your security program, instantly saving you invaluable time (and sanity) in the process.
Cost-effective access to expertise
Not only does outsourcing portions of your healthcare facility’s cybersecurity program save you time, but it can also save you money.
Many healthcare organizations are surprised to learn that working with a professional cybersecurity firm can significantly cut on-going human capital costs. Hiring full-time staff means budgeting for far more than just salaries.
You’ll also have to absorb periphery costs such as healthcare and other employee benefits. Not to mention on-going training and career paths to keep this newly acquired talent.
Partnering with a healthcare-focused MSSP often means you’ll only pay an hourly rate or flat project fee throughout the length of the engagement, without incurring any fringe expenses. More importantly, you’ll only pay for the actual hours or services performed to ensure you can keep a tight handle on costs at all times.
Aligned skillsets
The lack of IT talent often means settling for candidates who aren’t the right fit simply due to lack of options.
Partnering with a reputable cybersecurity firm means you’ll have access to an entire team of trained, experienced, and (most importantly) vetted technology professionals who have the right skillset to manage your specific IT infrastructure and system needs.
True extension of your security team
An experienced and reputable MSSP will serve as a direct extension of your healthcare organization.
Their crew of IT cybersecurity specialists will work directly with your executive staff and facility stakeholders to gain a firm understanding of your organizations distinctive needs, goals, and vision.
From there, they will craft a customized approach that minimizes your company’s risks and vulnerabilities while maximizing data loss protection across the entire organization.
