A leading long-term healthcare provider recently underwent a cybersecurity and compliance assessment. This assessment revealed several areas of risk that needed to be addressed to ensure the security of patient data and the continuity of healthcare services.

Lockstock Cybersecurity was able to help mitigate these risks and maintain compliance. We developed a prioritized plan to address these risks, including a timeline and resource allocation for each mitigation action. To implement these changes, we needed to understand the company workflows to identify the dependencies that could be affected by any cybersecurity changes. This allowed us to make changes without disrupting important healthcare services. Overall this was a huge success that mitigated all high risks and most of the medium risks that were identified during the initial assessment. We were also able to develop further action strategies to mitigate the remaining medium risks in the future.

Challenges Faced

Multiple Cybersecurity Risks: The assessment identified a range of high and medium risks across various systems and processes.

Efficient Risk Mitigation: The need to develop a strategy that not only addressed these risks efficiently but also aligned with the company's operational dependencies.

Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations and standards while implementing cybersecurity improvements.

Solutions Provided

First, we proposed a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy.

We developed a prioritized risk mitigation plan to address the risks that were identified in the cybersecurity audit. This included a timeline and resource allocation for each mitigation action. Using that mitigation plan, we carefully analyzed operational workflows to identify any dependencies that could be affected by cybersecurity changes. This ensured that the implementation of security measures did not disrupt critical healthcare services.

Now that we understand the workflows and the dependencies at risk, we worked with key stakeholders across the organization to ensure buy-in and understanding of the cybersecurity initiatives we were proposing to put in place.

Now that we had the buy-in from the stakeholders, it was time to turn that plan into action.

We needed an advanced tool for analyzing security configurations in Active Directory environments. Something that would help identify potential attack paths and vulnerabilities within the network. For this, we deployed a tool called Bloodhound.

Next, we established a program to systematically identify, assess, and remediate vulnerabilities. This included regular scanning, assessment reports, and a structured process for addressing the identified vulnerabilities from the audit. We also secured external access points by implementing single-factor authentication on public authentication services. For internal systems, we rolled out multi-factor authentication, particularly those with access to sensitive patient data.

Finally, we reviewed the patch management processes that were in place. These needed overhauling to ensure timely and effective application across all systems. While doing that, we also updated the configurations to remove default credentials on network devices and server management cards, replacing them with strong, unique passwords.

We also conducted regular audits to ensure all of these standards were maintained.

We also addressed specific vulnerabilities that were discovered.

These vulnerabilities and their solutions are detailed below.

Ransomware Gang Vulnerabilities: Analyzed and mitigated specific vulnerabilities known to be exploited by ransomware gangs, such as unpatched software and exposed remote desktop protocols.

Active Directory and Domain Management: Secured Active Directory escalation paths by implementing strict access controls and monitoring mechanisms.

Password Vulnerabilities: Enforced strong password policies and eliminated weak, default, or stale credentials.

Web Filtering and File Share Permissions: Strengthened web filtering to prevent access to malicious sites and mitigate the risk of phishing attacks. Reviewed and secured file share permissions, ensuring that sensitive data was accessible only to authorized personnel.

Third-Party Patch Management: Established procedures for managing patches for third-party applications, ensuring they were regularly updated and free from known vulnerabilities.

Results Achieved

Significant Risk Reduction

The cybersecurity improvements led to the complete mitigation of all high risks identified in the initial assessment. This included addressing critical vulnerabilities that could lead to data breaches or significant business disruption. For example, securing network endpoints against ransomware attacks and ensuring robust encryption of sensitive patient data.

A significant portion of the medium risks (About 85%) were also mitigated. This involved resolving issues such as less critical software vulnerabilities, enhancing user access controls, and improving incident response capabilities. Plans of Actions and Milestones (POAMs) were developed for the remaining 15% to ensure a structured approach to their resolution.

Enhanced Cybersecurity Posture

The implementation of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy and specific solutions like advanced endpoint protection, multi-factor authentication, and regular vulnerability assessments contributed to a more robust defense against a variety of cyber threats. The establishment of a continuous monitoring process and regular cybersecurity training for employees will also ensure the organization remains vigilant and up-to-date with the latest security practices and threats.

Compliance with Healthcare Regulations

The cybersecurity enhancements were carefully aligned with healthcare regulations such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and HITECH (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act). This included ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of patient health information. These improvements made the company well-prepared for regulatory audits, demonstrating compliance with legal and industry standards. Regular reviews and updates to the cybersecurity policies ensure ongoing compliance amidst changing regulatory landscapes. By securing patient data more effectively, the company not only complied with regulations but also built stronger trust with patients and partners, knowing that their sensitive information was being handled with the utmost care and security.

Conclusion

This case study highlights how this healthcare company significantly enhanced its cybersecurity and compliance posture through a strategic and comprehensive approach. By prioritizing and efficiently addressing the risks identified in the cybersecurity assessment, and implementing a range of specific cybersecurity tools and practices, the company not only mitigated critical risks but also ensured ongoing compliance with healthcare industry standards. The result was a more secure and resilient healthcare environment, safeguarding both patient data and the continuity of care services.