In a recent Fortified Health Security webinar, T.J. Ramsey, Senior Director of Threat Operations, delivered a pointed message: strategy alone won’t protect healthcare organizations from cyber criminals. Tactical execution is what makes the difference.

As cyber threats grow in speed, scale, and sophistication, it’s not just about knowing what to do, but about having the ability to act quickly and effectively.

Why Tactical Execution Is Critical

In cybersecurity, tactics often get mischaracterized as reactive or small-scale. However, as Ramsey explained, tactics are the practical application of strategy. “If strategy identifies what we need to do and how we’ll do it, tactics are the execution of those decisions in real-time,” he noted.

In practice, that includes how a healthcare organization deploys threat detection tools, how quickly it escalates suspicious activity, and how effectively it applies security patches. Often made in seconds, these decisions can determine whether a threat is contained or allowed to spread.

What’s Not Working in Healthcare Security

Ramsey also emphasized the gaps that persist in many healthcare security programs. While organizations may have solid strategic plans, the execution often falls short. Fragmented defenses, slow patching cycles, and under-resourced security operations centers (SOCs) leave many hospitals vulnerable.

“Many teams are defending against modern, agile attackers using outdated playbooks,” he said. Compliance checklists are too often mistaken for operational readiness, and in the meantime, real-world attackers aren’t waiting for paperwork to catch up.

A Military-Informed Mindset

Drawing from his background in military intelligence, Ramsey highlighted the parallels between military operations and cybersecurity. Both timing, coordination, and clarity of mission are essential.

“In the military, you don’t wait until something breaks to act. You train, adapt, and execute with precision,” he said. That same approach is needed in today’s healthcare cybersecurity programs.

Tactical Readiness Means Being Ready to Act

According to Ramsey, tactical readiness isn’t about scrambling during a crisis; it’s about preparing before the threat arrives. He outlined several key elements, including:

  • Real-time visibility: Organizations need current insight into where their vulnerabilities are.
  • Defined escalation paths: Incidents should move quickly through clear channels, not get stuck in inboxes.
  • Cross-functional coordination: Security cannot operate in a silo. IT, clinical, and executive teams must align.
  • Continuous improvement: Teams should adjust defenses regularly based on live threat intelligence and lessons learned.

From Theory to Action

Ramsey closed the session with a call for healthcare organizations to prioritize tactical readiness. “Being tactical doesn’t mean reactive,” he said. “It means being prepared to act with clarity and speed.”

In an era where the cost of inaction can be devastating, Fortified Health Security continues to advocate for good plans along with the need for well-executed ones.

Those who missed the live webinar can watch the recording here to hear more about what proactive steps you can take right now to prepare your healthcare organization, how to maximize the tools you do have, and the most surprising gap exposed in a recent red team exercise, that probably is not that uncommon.