Advances in technology are apparent in virtually every industry, from retail and food services to finance. One industry in particular—healthcare—has seen vast improvements in every element of its field. Healthcare organizations across the world take advantage of computing and cloud technology to optimize their operations.

But with these technological breakthroughs comes the risk of cyber threats, including malicious attempts to steal, corrupt, or otherwise seize sensitive healthcare data. Thanks to professionals dedicated to cybersecurity in healthcare, data breaches and other forms of malware can be combatted and, in many cases, prevented.

This intersection of cybersecurity and healthcare has sparked growth in a sector of promising careers for individuals striving to protect patient data while putting their information security and related tech skills to the test. This blog discusses the importance of cybersecurity in healthcare and highlights several careers in that exciting field.

Why Is Cybersecurity Important in Healthcare?

Safeguarding patient information has always been of primary concern for healthcare providers, but within the last few decades, cyberattacks and other digital threats have been on the rise. Hackers and identity thieves rely on an arsenal of tools to target vulnerabilities in healthcare security systems and gain access to private, personal, and organization-wide information. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, there has been a 72% increase in data compromises in the U.S. since just 2021—an all-time high.

Healthcare organizations must adhere to strict standards of health information protection, especially since the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was signed into law in 1996. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) enforces HIPAA compliance, and healthcare cybersecurity specialists often help uphold HIPAA standards. But they also play a key role in establishing safeguards against cyberattacks, assessing security risk, strengthening security networks, and much more.

Healthcare Cybersecurity Career Opportunities

Cybersecurity jobs in healthcare have become increasingly common over the years, with a steady stream of demand for professionals adept at countering digital threats. Below are five common career fields in healthcare cybersecurity. Each one offers something unique and could be a great fit if you’re aspiring to enter the industry.

Network Security

Medical records and information stored online and in closed servers need constant defenses against opportunistic cybercriminals and scammers. Network security focuses on detecting and deterring various forms of attacks, including breaches of privacy, data theft, and more. Specialists in network security rely on threat intelligence to prepare for—and ideally prevent—potential cyberattacks. They also authorize users to access network data while denying access to those without proper credentials.

Protecting patient medical information, among other data, is a high priority for professionals in healthcare network security. This is achieved through creating usernames and strong passwords, setting up firewalls, keeping drivers and software up to date, running antivirus software to perform security scans, and similar efforts.

Incident Responders

Sometimes referred to as “cybersecurity incident management,” incident response involves all steps needed to combat cyber threats. Incident responders begin by identifying potential dangers and preparing against them. If necessary, incident responders take measures to contain and neutralize the problem, followed by a period of damage mitigation and data recovery.

One important aspect of incident response includes training relevant staff and employees on how to recognize activities like phishing and other types of malware. Cybersecurity incident responders develop specific plans of action when facing cyber threats, working closely with network security and information security specialists.

Compliance and Governance

Healthcare GRC (governance, risk, and compliance) involves organization-wide policies and protocols designed to uphold ethical and legal accountability. Individuals in this field are typically experts in understanding and interpreting HIPAA standards. It is their job to ensure that all patient privacy laws are being followed and that sensitive patient data remains secure.

GRC teams are responsible for educating personnel on HIPAA compliance and coordinating with IT professionals on the importance of robust cybersecurity measures. Specialists in this field may work for hospitals, clinics, pharmaceutical corporations, and nursing homes.

Risk Assessment and Management

Those involved in risk assessment and management may work within—or adjacent to—a compliance or governance department. These individuals conduct research to gather threat intelligence and relay it to network security engineers. A successful risk assessment means identifying the likelihood of a cyberattack, predicting its effects, and recommending a course of action to prevent or respond to it, including backing up all sensitive data.

Risk assessors become familiar with an organization’s unique vulnerabilities and call for ways to reinforce them. Managing and evaluating cybersecurity risks might also involve performing comprehensive IT audits and penetration testing.

Internet of Things and Medical Device Security

Many medical devices like blood glucose monitors, pacemakers, and cochlear implants take advantage of digital technology to enhance patient safety and improve user convenience. Likewise, many healthcare centers use digitally advanced devices like MRI machines, CT scanners, and X-ray imagers to optimize medical procedures. This ecosystem comprises an internet of things (IoT) that could become vulnerable to cyberattacks.

Careers in this field involve securely integrating medical devices and establishing strong connections between all devices used in medical settings. Cybersecurity engineers monitor and protect medical devices that operate on software or that are connected wirelessly to mobile apps.

How to Get Started in Healthcare Cybersecurity

Ready to begin—or continue—your journey in healthcare cybersecurity? Consider studying at WGU, where you can take advantage of our competency-based learning model to move through coursework as quickly as you show mastery of the material, potentially graduating faster and saving money.

Our online bachelor’s degrees in health information management, cybersecurity and information assurance, and network engineering and security are each designed with input from industry experts who understand the real potential for cyber threats across healthcare organizations. You’ll learn the technical and soft skills needed to be a competitive applicant and effect positive change in the industry.

Learn more today.