In 2024, the impact of cyberattacks in the healthcare sector were huge, with over 700 large breaches reported, compromising the personal information of more than 250 million individuals: more than 50% of the U.S. population. This alarming trend highlights the critical need for increased cybersecurity in healthcare programs to protect patient safety and maintain trust in the industry.
This urgency has never been more evident than in the words of Joshua Dostie, Senior Information Security Engineer at MaineGeneral Health. His passion for cybersecurity in healthcare stems from a deep commitment to protecting patients and ensuring the continuity of care.
Why Cybersecurity in Healthcare is Essential for Patient Safety
Dostie’s journey in healthcare IT started when he was just 16 years old, volunteering at the same hospital where he was born. With nearly two decades of experience, including ten years focused on cybersecurity, Dostie has witnessed firsthand the evolution of technology in healthcare. He emphasized a vital but often overlooked truth: hackers are predictable, but the human impact of a cyber incident is far more complex.
“Identifying hackers and their behavior is the easiest part of my job. The challenge with security is the personal connections,” Dostie stated. He highlighted the unique challenges healthcare organizations face when it comes to cybersecurity. Unlike other sectors, healthcare cannot afford to shut down systems in response to a threat simply. Many of these systems connect to critical medical devices such as surgical robots, X-ray machines, and other life-sustaining equipment.
This reality underscores the critical need for healthcare-centric cybersecurity solutions that understand the delicate balance between protecting data and maintaining patient care.
The Value of Healthcare-Specific Cybersecurity
MaineGeneral’s partnership with Fortified Health Security illustrates the importance of choosing a cybersecurity partner with deep healthcare expertise. For Dostie, this choice was not merely about finding a robust technical solution but ensuring his team could have meaningful conversations with security experts who truly understood the healthcare environment.
“It’s not just a technical partnership; it’s a pivotal partnership,” he explained. “Fortified understands that before taking any action, we have to consider the real-world impact on patient care.”
This human-centered approach to cybersecurity sets Fortified apart from other security vendors. Dostie highlighted the importance of healthcare-specific knowledge, noting that many cybersecurity providers overlook that their actions could have life-or-death consequences in a hospital setting.
Empowering Teams and Enhancing Patient Care
With only three members on his security team, Dostie faced the challenge of protecting a large healthcare system with limited resources. By partnering with Fortified, he felt his team “expanded tenfold” without increasing headcount. Fortified’s Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) service allowed his team to focus on strategic initiatives rather than being overwhelmed by alerts and potential threats.
“Work-life balance is probably the most important thing, and when you work in security, that almost never happens,” Dostie remarked. By trusting Fortified’s healthcare-centric approach and thorough investigations into every alert, his team gained peace of mind, ensuring patient safety without unnecessary disruptions.
A True Partnership Built on Trust and Collaboration
Dostie emphasized the importance of strong personal connections and open communication. Fortified actively listens to feedback and continuously improves its services based on client needs. This responsiveness has fostered a sense of trust and collaboration that he values deeply.
“I made it very clear that technology is easy. Finding and stopping hackers is the easiest part of my job. It’s the people connections that are important. And within the first 10-15 minutes of the conversation, I knew they truly cared,” he shared.
The Future of Patient Safety and Cybersecurity in Healthcare
As technology advances, the stakes for patient safety in cybersecurity will only grow. Dostie foresees a future where artificial intelligence will be used by both defenders and attackers, making it even more critical to partner with experts who understand the unique challenges of healthcare.
“Our patients are the most vulnerable targets, and unfortunately, hackers are targeting healthcare because they see it as easy money,” he warned. Yet, his dedication to protecting patients remains steadfast, driven by a mission to defend his community against evolving threats.
Cybersecurity in Healthcare: Protecting What Matters Most
Dostie’s insights are a powerful reminder that cybersecurity in healthcare is about much more than protecting data; it’s about protecting lives. By choosing a partner who understands the complexities of patient care, MaineGeneral is not only securing its systems but also safeguarding its community.
For healthcare organizations facing similar challenges, his experience highlights the importance of working with cybersecurity partners who prioritize patient safety. As the digital landscape evolves, this human-centric approach will protect what matters most—patients’ lives.
If you want to learn more about enhancing your cybersecurity posture with a healthcare-specific partner, contact Fortified today.
