As telemedicine, AI diagnostics, and patient-centric apps gain traction, the role of secure and compliant application development is more crucial than ever.  Leaders must now navigate this dual arena of rapid tech advancements and stringent data protection requirements in a field that is seeing a steady increase in cyberattacks and databreaches.  

What is the primary vector for control of this sensitive health data? Secure and trusted software that allows access where it’s needed and restricts access where it should be kept private. 

Enter AppSec

• Real-world Implications: Healthcare used to be considered “hands off” by cybercriminals, but after the successful ransomware attack on Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital in 2016, attacks against healthcare have continued to increase dramatically year over year.  These instances have not just led to financial losses but also directly threaten patient health and wellbeing. A study by the University of Minnesota showed that not only have the number of attacks steadily increased, but 44% of those attacks “disrupted the delivery of healthcare” to patients.  With such high stakes, code security should be at the top of mind for any organization developing applications for the healthcare industry.
   
• Building a Trustworthy Brand: A large data breach can have a tremendous impact to an organization’s brand, especially in a domain where trust is paramount; healthcare providers are inclined toward products they can trust, and that trust is most easily established with an organization shows a strong commitment to security.  By ensuring compliance and security are intertwined with innovation, developers can position themselves as trusted partners.
• Facing Financial Repercussions Head-On: Regulatory fines for non-compliance or breaches can be debilitating. Yet, with a proactive approach to embedding security practices right from the development phase, organizations can mitigate these risks. In 2023, the average cost of a healthcare data breach has ballooned to a staggering $10.93 million – an increase of over 50% in just three years.

Innovation and Security Must Go Hand in Hand:

As healthcare continues its digital transformation journey, the demands on application security and compliance are set to intensify. Patients are jumping into the connected health era with smart devices strapped to their wrists and AI becoming their diagnostician. Big data is unlocking unprecedented insights into treatments and cures. However, this innovation has a cost. Each digital leap creates a new avenue of attack, and healthcare organizations that embrace security as a non-negotiable pillar of digital health, safeguarding their systems and data from the ground up, will become the industry gold standard. 

In a landscape where digital and connected is the new normal, security can no longer be optional. Healthcare innovators must pivot to responsibly integrate and fortify each digital dimension or risk losing patient and provider confidence as they shape the health experiences of tomorrow.

QWIET AI’s Holistic Approach:

Merging innovation with security is an art. QWIET AI’s offerings are curated to strike this balance through its powerful AppSec security platform and services offering

• Sensitive data flow: By illuminating how sensitive PII and PHI data flows within applications, we empower organizations to ensure data protection through every twist and turn.
• Advanced Data Safeguarding: QWIET AI’s tools ensure data is appropriately protected, whether it’s being redacted, obfuscated, or encrypted.
• Continual Compliance Vigilance: Compliance is a continuous process.  By auditing every application release, we ensure organizations always remain within the bounds of compliance, providing a reliable and secure product.

The Power of Collaboration:
The future of healthcare tech isn’t just about individual brilliance but collective synergy. Developers, healthcare professionals, and regulatory bodies need to find common ground, unified by the goal of patient welfare. QWIET AI’s consulting arm facilitates this, bridging gaps and forging powerful collaborations.

The healthcare tech landscape is vast, promising, and challenging. But with foresight, collaboration, and a proactive approach, organizations can lead with innovation without compromising on security or compliance. QWIET AI is committed to guiding this journey, ensuring organizations can harness opportunities while effectively managing risks. The future awaits, and preparation is the linchpin of success.

-Ben Denkers,

Vice President of Services, Qwiet AI