Safeguarding Hospitals and Patients: How to Get the Most Value from Penetration Testing

Many healthcare organizations follow NIST 800-53 or NIST CSF to help define their cybersecurity strategy and safeguards. One requirement of these guidelines is to perform an annual penetration test. But just checking the box to complete this task is insufficient to safeguard your organization from today’s modern attackers. This blog post sheds light on the significance of penetration testing for hospitals, the criteria for selecting the right testing vendor, how to go beyond just checking the box, and how it enhances network security and patient safety.

Penetration Testing Goals

While you’ve likely completed penetration tests before, staying with the status quo and only doing them to check the box could leave your environment vulnerable to attackers. Here’s one question you can ask yourself (or your IT department) if you think you’ve done all you need to secure your environment: Would you agree to a no-rules penetration test? If that answer is no, you likely still have work to do. Of course, you aren’t going to agree entirely to no rules. Still, you should find a penetration testing vendor with experience and who thinks like the attackers to find your vulnerabilities.

Not All Pen Tests Are Created Equal

You can choose a pen testing vendor to check the boxes for you or one with the expertise and knowledge to find what the attackers will find. Your cybersecurity strategy’s efficacy and your network’s and patients’ safety are at stake, so knowing what you will get from your pen test is critical. Here are some essential factors to look for when embarking on penetration testing:

Healthcare Expertise: Hospitals house unique and sensitive data and utilize unique systems. You should make sure the testing of these systems is healthcare specific. Using a pen tester with experience in dealing with healthcare systems ensures an understanding of the intricacies and vulnerabilities inherent to the industry.
Experienced Team: A successful penetration test hinges on the skill and experience of the testing team. Look for pen testers with a track record of breaching even the most secure systems to bring valuable insights into the vulnerabilities lurking within your network.
Comprehensive Reporting: A detailed findings report is a crucial output of any penetration test. It should highlight identified vulnerabilities along with the potential risks they pose. It should provide a remediation plan, offering actionable steps to address the uncovered weaknesses.
Collaborative Approach: The partnership doesn’t end with the report. An effective penetration testing vendor facilitates a findings workshop with your technical team. This collaborative session ensures that your team comprehends the vulnerabilities and understands how to implement the necessary corrective measures.

Enhancing Network Security and Patient Safety

The connection between robust cybersecurity, network protection, and patient safety cannot be overstated. As cyber attackers are getting more savvy, your penetration testing needs to ramp up to mimic their advanced tactics.

Robust penetration tests should:

Identify Vulnerabilities: Penetration testing pinpoints vulnerabilities that might otherwise go undetected. It mirrors the tactics of real attackers, allowing you to plug security gaps before malicious actors exploit them.
Strategize for Long-Term Security: The findings of a penetration test are invaluable for devising a long-term cybersecurity strategy. They enable you to allocate resources effectively, focusing on the most critical areas of improvement.
Mitigate Regulatory Risks: Compliance with NIST SP 800-53 regulations is essential. Penetration testing aids hospitals in meeting these requirements, minimizing regulatory risks and potential penalties.

Secure Your Spot for 2023

If you haven’t completed your pen testing for 2023, CloudWave’s penetration testing services offer a tailored approach to healthcare cybersecurity by experts who have been able to breach even the most secure environments. You can find more information about our pen testing services here. Our schedule fills up rapidly, so act quickly to secure your slot for 2023.

If you’re interested in free monthly cybersecurity education for your team, you can join our Cybersecurity Insider Program.

Laura Pursley, marketing director, CloudWave