The digitalization of healthcare in Europe is shaping up to be one of the major objectives of the 27 member countries, promising to revolutionize access and management of health information. However, this advancement brings with it a crucial challenge: strengthening cybersecurity to protect the sensitive data of millions of citizens.
Healthcare Digitalization: A Paradigmatic Shift
The European Commission (EC) envisions a savings of up to 20 billion euros globally through data economy implementation in the healthcare sector. Beyond economic benefits, digitalization promises greater accessibility to medical records, facilitating virus tracking and boosting scientific research through the sharing of anonymous data.
Sancho Lerena, CEO of Pandora FMS and expert in security and IT management, highlights the increasing digitalization of medical facilities and virtual management of records. This system not only enhances daily efficiency but also increases reliance on the correct functioning of IT infrastructure.
Accessibility and Research Potential
In the new European digital healthcare, users are meant to easily access their health data. This approach also aims to expand research opportunities through secure and anonymized data, promoting interoperability among systems in different countries.
A recent investment of 12 million euros underscores the importance of having robust health information systems. Sandra Gallina, Director-General for Health and Food Safety at the EC, acknowledged the potential of these systems to transform healthcare, improving its efficiency, safety, and personalization.
The Challenge of Cybersecurity
Digitalization, while promising numerous advantages, poses significant challenges in terms of cybersecurity. According to Pandora FMS and ENISA data, 68% of cyberattacks on the healthcare sector are due to a poorly configured security system, while 16% result from human errors. Hospitals, as critical care facilities, receive 40% of these attacks.
A Secure Framework for Digital Healthcare
The European strategy for digitalizing healthcare, accompanied by data sharing and accessibility, requires a secure framework to prevent becoming a state vulnerability. The experience of the Hospital Clinic in Barcelona, which recently suffered a cyberattack, is a reminder of the importance of preempting these threats.
Pandora FMS, with systems implemented in several Spanish hospitals, emphasizes the need to prevent disruptions in hospital operations, beyond just data protection.
Conclusion
The digital transformation in European healthcare opens up a horizon of possibilities to improve medical care, pandemic prevention, and scientific research. However, this transition must go hand in hand with a firm commitment to cybersecurity, ensuring that technological innovation develops in a protected and reliable environment. In this balance between progress and protection, Europe moves towards a more connected, efficient, and secure healthcare future.