Healthcare organizations are acutely aware of the importance of protecting their patient’s Protected Health Information (PHI) and their staff’s Personally Identifiable Information (PII). As cybersecurity threats continue to increase both in frequency and sophistication, the digitization of health information, including electronic health records and the increased need for data aggregation, means healthcare organization must increase focus on implementing robust cybersecurity measures.
With staffing shortages, budget constraints and ever-changing regulations in play, it is critical that community health centers adopt a risk management strategy that effectively addresses cybersecurity challenges. Not doing so effectively results in a significant risk of costly, reputation-damaging data breaches as well as violations of HIPAA security and privacy standards.
Enhancing Cybersecurity to Strengthen Compliance
Community health centers serve as many as 32.5 million people in the United States today. Leveraging cyber threat intelligence can help community health centers anticipate and respond to emerging cyber threats more effectively. A recent high-profile cyberattack highlighted the vulnerability of health centers, showing how cybersecurity failures can disrupt their ability to provide essential care to millions. These disruptions can lead to issues such as HIPAA non-compliance, unprocessed claims, and additional staffing hours spent securing reimbursements, among other problems.
Anticipating Advanced Cyber Threats 
The top five cybersecurity threats facing the healthcare industry today include ransomware attacks, social engineering, loss or theft of equipment or data, accidental, malicious or insider data loss, and attacks against network-connected medical devices.
Agencies like the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency play a critical role in monitoring and addressing these security incidents to safeguard health services and ensure the integrity of health infrastructure.
To combat these cyber threats, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has developed voluntary Cybersecurity Performance Goals (CPGs) for healthcare providers to assist them with preparing and responding. There are several steps that community health centers can take to meet CPGs and reduce their risk.
Preparing for the Future of Digital Healthcare Compliance and Healthcare Data Breaches
Healthcare organizations must stay alert and proactive to successfully implement cybersecurity strategies while adapting to changing threats and regulations.
Regulatory bodies recognize the present and evolving threats to cybersecurity in healthcare and continue to update regulations in response. HHS has proposed changes to the HIPAA Security Rule in 2025 to address these concerns. It will remain critical for organizations to keep pace with these changes to mitigate risk and avoid costly penalties.
- Using AI and Automation for Cyber Threat Intelligence and Monitoring
Because artificial intelligence (AI) tools can analyze large amounts of data more quickly than their human counterparts, they represent a vital tool to provide real-time threat detection and response. They can also help with predicting and recognizing even newly evolving threats. This may sound complex and expensive but there are ways to use economies of scale to acquire this type of technology.
- Building a Culture of Compliance
An organizational culture that prioritizes compliance initiatives with clear leadership buy-in and active investment in staff training and awareness is critical in supporting a commitment to data security and privacy for the entire organization.
- Tailoring Risk Assessments to the Organization
Performing routine risk assessments is not only a regulatory requirement but helps an organization ensure compliance efforts are aligned with a community health center’s operational realities, pinpointing actionable areas for improvement in a manageable way.
Prioritizing Cybersecurity in a Resource-Constrained Environment
These strategies all depend on having adequate financial and human resources to execute successfully. For community health centers, both resources are increasingly constrained, posing a barrier to effectively pursue and implement cybersecurity initiatives. To overcome these challenges, there are some key strategies that can help.
Leverage Scalable Technology Investments
Choose security and business solutions that meet the organization’s unique needs and risk profile, while prioritizing data integrity and scalability. Guidance from an IT consulting firm with experience specifically in healthcare IT can support the appropriate strategy to minimize cyber risk considering the constraints faced by community health centers.
Address Human Risk Factors
Solutions are only as effective as the people behind them. Comprehensive staff training is critical to mitigating the human element of security breaches. In an era of healthcare staffing shortages, this is especially important, since increased workloads and staff turnover can often exacerbate the potential for overlooking cyber threats and falling victim to social engineering tactics.
Integrating Cybersecurity with Strategic Planning to Protect Sensitive Patient Data 
Aligning your cybersecurity strategy with your business goals ensures that security remains a strategic priority, enabling your organization to better protect patient data, ensure operational continuity, and remain resilient in the face of evolving cyber threats.
To mitigate risk, community health centers often hire cybersecurity advisors who can assist in conducting thorough risk assessments, identifying vulnerabilities, and selecting the right technology solutions to strengthen security. With decades of experience, Hartman Executive Advisors and our IT consulting team have the deep knowledge that can support community health centers in maintaining strong cybersecurity and regulatory compliance. Contact us today for a free consultation and learn how to stay ahead of cyber threats in today’s environment.
