Erasmus University Rotterdam
Cybersecurity in Healthcare (Hospitals & Care Centres)
Erasmus University Rotterdam

Cybersecurity in Healthcare (Hospitals & Care Centres)

Taught in English

Some content may not be translated

16,920 already enrolled

Course

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals

Jason H. Pridmore
Tessa A. P. Oomen

Instructors: Jason H. Pridmore

4.6

(292 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

15 hours to complete
3 weeks at 5 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • You will gain an understanding of the role of digitalisation and cybersecurity in the healthcare context

  • You will learn about the opportunities and threats that the healthcare sector faces due to digitalisation and the proliferation of (medical) data

  • You will learn about different ways to improve and maintain cybersecurity, highlighting the interaction between technology and human behaviour

  • You will discover how a positive cybersecurity culture is an important influence on an organisation's level of cybersecurity

Details to know

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Assessments

14 quizzes

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There are 5 modules in this course

It was predicted for 2020 that over 20 billion devices would be connected worldwide – from cell phones to wearable devices, from fridges to coffee makers, almost anything that can be connected to the internet will be connected. But how is increased interconnectivity affecting the healthcare sector – healthcare organisations, the people who work in them, and their patients? The increased digitalisation that we have seen and still see has many advantages, but widespread interconnectivity is also affecting cybersecurity across the world. Healthcare organisations have become a major target for cybercriminals because of the data they hold. Accidents that lead to data breaches can have severe consequences for the patients, staff members, and the healthcare organisation itself.How can healthcare organisations protect themselves, their staff and their patients against these growing threats? And how can healthcare professionals contribute to this process? In this first module, we will dive into the concept of cybersecurity and why it applies to healthcare. Furthermore, we will discover both the opportunities and challenges that have come into existence alongside digitalisation in healthcare. Finally, we will take a first look at the specific threats that healthcare and social care organisations may face. Note: Whenever you feel like you want more information but you don’t know where to start: we have an online library of a range of resources available to you. Please visit: https://www.zotero.org/groups/2280149/securehospitals/library. You can also find the link to the library in the ‘Resources’ tab in the menu.

What's included

8 videos4 readings3 quizzes6 discussion prompts

Welcome to the second module of the course! In this module we will explore the social factors that may influence human behaviour in relation to medical technologies. It is often mentioned that the ‘human is the weakest link’ in cybersecurity. And while the choices we make and the way we act can be problematic, we want to show how cybersecurity incidents often stem from a combination of factors, in the interaction between the human and technology. We will take an in-depth look at how social engineers try to exploit human emotions and natural responses. Additionally, we show how social media use can become problematic. Not just in terms of patient privacy, but also as a treasure trove for cybercriminals to obtain information.

What's included

5 videos3 readings2 quizzes4 discussion prompts1 plugin

One of the most well known cases of malware, or ransomware, is WannaCry (2017) that affected the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK especially hard. The case highlights the essence of cybersecurity in the healthcare domain. For this reason we dive deeper into threats against cybersecurity in healthcare organisations in this third module. We take a look at data breaches and the consequences such incidents may have. We explore methods and motives of hackers - what makes healthcare so attractive to them? Finally, we look at different types of malware and how they are deployed. For each of these topics, we provide cases that give an overview of the events and the consequences for the healthcare organisation that was victimised. These real life examples will bring contemporary cybersecurity challenges alive.

What's included

5 videos6 readings3 quizzes1 peer review2 discussion prompts

In the fourth module, we will move the focus to methods to improve cybersecurity. In this module, we will explore the concept of cyber hygiene: practices that improve cybersecurity. These are behaviours that individuals can do on their own, but also higher level practices that organisations should employ to remain secure and resilient. In particular, we will highlight digital communication and safe emailing, encryption, device management, password management, and software management. This includes updates and backups.

What's included

8 videos2 readings3 quizzes1 peer review3 discussion prompts1 plugin

In the fifth and final module, we build on the social aspects of cybersecurity by exploring the concept of cybersecurity culture. We discuss how healthcare organisations may create or maintain an environment where cybersecurity practices might be ignored, promoted, or even discouraged - influencing the uptake of good cybersecurity behaviours. Often, policies and regulations are implemented to steer behaviour and improve cybersecurity. But as you will learn, merely implementing such policies may not be successful as workers may find ‘workarounds’, or ways to circumvent security measures. We will show how investing in cybersecurity culture may be necessary to prevent workarounds from being exploited, making employees more aware and invested in cybersecurity, and to improve cybersecurity in the healthcare organisation. Do you work for a hospital, clinic, medical practice, care centre, care provider, social care organisation, or nursing home? Do you want to improve your personal or your organisation’s cybersecurity (cyber security, IT security, information security, network security, computer security, awareness)? Then please visit www.securehospitals.eu to gain access to a range of resources. You can also join the Security providers and Trainers platform (see: https://www.securehospitals.eu/for-providers-and-trainers/) or our Community of Practice (see: https://www.securehospitals.eu/community/).

What's included

6 videos4 readings3 quizzes1 peer review2 discussion prompts

Instructors

Instructor ratings
4.5 (119 ratings)
Jason H. Pridmore
Erasmus University Rotterdam
2 Courses19,224 learners
Tessa A. P. Oomen
Erasmus University Rotterdam
1 Course16,920 learners

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