Intelligent CIO North America Issue 48 | Page 43

FEATURE : NETWORK SECURITY
Zero Trust , coupled with IAM applications , provides a safeguarding mechanism wherein only authorised personnel can access sensitive information , thereby building a strong line of defence and minimising the risk of data breaches .
Similarly , in clinical trial settings , Zero Trust architecture ensures the confidentiality of highly sensitive data , limiting access to authorised researchers only , while preventing potential data leaks .
Maximising the benefits of Zero Trust and IAM applications requires careful deliberation and strategic planning .
As such healthcare entities should consider a few key factors .
First , select reputable vendors that offer robust security solutions tailored to industry specific requirements , including compliance requirements .
Next , as Zero Trust is a relatively new technology , user training and awareness programs are imperative to foster a culture of security consciousness .
Likewise , the solution must seamlessly integrate with existing security infrastructure to achieve unified security management .
Furthermore , diligent identification of unmanaged devices is a critical prerequisite for successful deployment of Zero Trust to overcome the challenge of the many devices that were introduced to healthcare networks during the pandemic without IT management visibility or proper documentation .
These add to the complexity of data security as IT and security teams often do not have visibility of exactly where these devices are , how and why they connect to the network , what type of business they perform , what type of data is being processed and stored locally and what type of vulnerabilities are present on these devices .
Removing the risk of these vulnerable devices in the network must be a priority for the healthcare sector . Beyond these key factors , healthcare entities stand to benefit from augmenting Zero Trust with AI-driven IAM solutions to proactively identify and mitigate security threats .
Leveraging AI aids in the continuous analysis of network patterns and user behaviour , identifying trends and correlations between data and access context to detect anomalies that are indicative of potential breaches . This predictive approach enables proactive threat mitigation and bolsters overall cyber and business resilience .
As the healthcare industry continues its Digital Transformation , safeguarding patient data is paramount to the sector .
Embracing the holistic approach of Zero Trust , complemented by a robust IAM framework , empowers organisations to fortify their defences and instil confidence in patients regarding data security .
By embracing the principles of Zero Trust beyond ZTNA and integrating IAM functionalities , healthcare entities can navigate the evolving threat landscape with resilience and vigilance , ensuring the sanctity of sensitive medical information . This not only builds stronger security defences but also gives patients peace of mind that their sensitive information is secure . p
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