Network-Based & Community-Led Models
Post Summary
In 2025, healthcare cybersecurity is under siege, with cyberattacks increasing in complexity and frequency. Traditional, standalone defenses are no longer enough. Instead, network-based and community-led models are reshaping how healthcare organizations protect sensitive data and patient care. Here's what you need to know:
- Rising Threats: Cyberattacks on healthcare surged 120% in 2023, with breaches costing over $11 million per incident and stolen health records being 10x more valuable than credit card data.
- Collaboration is Key: Shared intelligence and pooled resources through networks like Health-ISAC enable quicker threat detection and response, reducing the spread and impact of attacks.
- Regulatory Push: Agencies like HHS are urging healthcare providers and third-party vendors to adopt collaborative cybersecurity practices for stronger defenses.
- Proven Models: Tools like real-time monitoring, network segmentation, and AI-powered threat detection are central to these models, helping organizations protect medical devices and patient care systems.
The shift to collective action is urgent. With 92% of healthcare organizations experiencing cyberattacks in the past year, collaboration is no longer optional - it's essential for safeguarding patient trust and operational stability.
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Understanding Network-Based Cybersecurity Models
Network-based cybersecurity models allow healthcare organizations to tackle cyber threats by connecting systems and pooling intelligence and resources. This collaborative approach moves beyond the limitations of isolated defense strategies, enabling organizations to detect, monitor, and respond to vulnerabilities more effectively.
At the heart of these models is the principle of continuous visibility and shared intelligence. By offering a unified view of threats across organizations, these systems address critical challenges. For example, healthcare systems take an average of 329 days to remediate breaches, with each breach costing approximately $7 million [5].
How Information-Sharing Networks Operate
Information-sharing networks function as centralized hubs where healthcare organizations can both contribute and access threat intelligence. These networks use standardized protocols to ensure sensitive information is shared securely while maintaining confidentiality. A great example is the Health Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Health-ISAC), which proved its value in January 2023 by sharing indicators of compromise, targeted alerts, and best practices to counter DDoS attacks [8].
"Information sharing programs produce significant benefits at minimal risk for the organizations that participate." - Healthcare and Public Health Sector Coordinating Council [8]
To manage the flow of sensitive information, these networks often rely on the Traffic Light Protocol (TLP). This protocol classifies information based on sharing restrictions, ensuring that critical intelligence reaches the right people without compromising ongoing investigations. For instance, if one organization detects a threat, an immediate alert can be sent across the network, allowing others to take proactive measures. This centralized intelligence system sets the stage for the interoperable frameworks discussed later.
Key Components of Effective Networks
For a network-based cybersecurity model to succeed, several key elements must work together seamlessly. One of the most critical is comprehensive asset visibility, which provides an inventory of clinical devices, operating systems, and software. This is no small task, as hospitals often manage thousands of connected devices - approximately 17 per bed [6].
Automated discovery tools are essential here, as they continuously scan for devices that manual processes might overlook. This is vital because 30% to 50% of connected medical devices often go unnoticed by IT systems, creating hidden vulnerabilities. A stark example occurred in 2024 when a ransomware attack on a major U.S. healthcare provider exploited an unmonitored IoT device, causing system outages for days [7].
"We are looking at Armis as a new way to gain insights into our network. It only takes a little bit of effort on our part to get an enormous amount of information. Prior to Armis, the amount of work it would take to collect that data would be beyond our capabilities." - Brian Schultz, Director of Network Operations and Security, Burke Rehab Hospital [4]
Interoperable platforms are also vital, ensuring smooth data exchange between systems through trust frameworks that verify and authenticate participants. Additionally, network segmentation plays a crucial role in containing threats by limiting lateral movement within the network. This is especially important given that 53% of medical devices have known vulnerabilities that continue to be exploited [4][6]. Together, these components, alongside real-time monitoring, form a robust defense mechanism.
Real-Time Monitoring and Asset Visibility
Unified asset management platforms bridge the gap between IT and IoT monitoring, offering a complete view of device status, security posture, and compliance [7]. This integration also fosters collaboration between clinical engineering, IT, and security teams, which is often a challenge in healthcare settings.
"When there is trust, there is speed. The Forescout platform is invaluable because it provides the level of visibility that gives us that trust – trust that we know exactly what devices are on our network, along with the situational awareness both to be proactive and to address issues as they arise." - Chief Technology Officer, U.S. State Government Agency [3]
Risk-based frameworks further enhance security by prioritizing vulnerabilities based on their exploitability and potential impact on patient care [6]. Smart network segmentation complements real-time monitoring by isolating critical medical devices, preventing threats from spreading while ensuring clinical operations continue without disruption. This approach is especially relevant, as 62% of organizations reported third-party data breaches or cybersecurity incidents in 2024 [6]. By combining information-sharing networks with real-time monitoring, healthcare systems can create a collective defense strategy that strengthens their overall cybersecurity efforts.
Community-Led Approaches to Cybersecurity
In the fight against cyber threats, healthcare organizations are increasingly turning to community-driven cybersecurity strategies. Unlike traditional approaches that often operate in silos, these models rely on collective knowledge and shared expertise to tackle challenges that no single entity could manage alone. By embracing collaboration, healthcare providers are unlocking the power of crowdsourced threat intelligence.
The urgency is clear: nearly 70% of healthcare organizations report that cyberattacks have disrupted patient care [12].
Crowdsourced Threat Intelligence
Crowdsourced threat intelligence is proving to be a game-changer for healthcare cybersecurity. By pooling resources and knowledge through networks like Health-ISAC, organizations can share critical insights about emerging threats, vulnerabilities, and incidents [12]. For instance, Steinbrueck Chiropractic leveraged the H-ISAC intelligence feed via Perch to meet federal patient information protection requirements [9].
"The Health-ISAC service has become invaluable to us and delivered value for money almost immediately" [9]
To maximize the benefits of shared intelligence, organizations should consider deploying AI-powered security tools. These tools, trained on global threat data, can identify and neutralize risks in real time [13]. Additionally, generative AI can streamline threat detection by proactively hunting for vulnerabilities and analyzing attack paths before breaches occur [13].
Building a Security-First Culture
Shifting to a security-first culture requires moving beyond IT-centric models and fostering shared responsibility for cybersecurity across all levels of an organization. This shift is especially critical in healthcare, where data breaches carry the highest average costs, and ransomware-induced downtime can have severe financial and operational consequences.
In healthcare, embedding security into the fabric of organizational culture means continuous education and collaboration between IT teams and clinicians. Given that 70% of successful cyberattacks in France’s healthcare sector stem from human error, this approach is essential [11]. The next step? Integrating security into clinical decision-making processes to better align protection with patient care [2].
Engaging Clinicians and Administrators
Engaging non-technical stakeholders - such as clinicians and administrators - is crucial for aligning cybersecurity measures with clinical workflows. The stakes are high: cyberattacks have been linked to a 20% increase in patient mortality rates due to delays in care [10].
Healthcare organizations must actively involve clinicians in cybersecurity planning to ensure that protective measures enhance, rather than hinder, clinical operations [2]. As Mark Jarrett, Chairman of the Healthcare and Public Health Sector Coordinating Council (HSCC), emphasized:
"Every hospital C-Suite executive needs to support a good cybersecurity program, which includes training clinical staff on the basics" [9]
Specialized training tailored to clinicians’ roles can heighten awareness of specific security risks while reinforcing the connection between cybersecurity and patient safety [2]. To ease adoption, user-friendly security solutions that integrate seamlessly into existing workflows are key. Smaller healthcare providers, often lacking in-house expertise, can partner with larger systems or managed service providers to access advanced tools and support. This is especially critical given that 60% of rural hospitals have faced cyber incidents over the past three years [10].
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Tools and Strategies for Implementing Collaborative Models
Healthcare organizations face a critical need to adopt effective tools and strategies to enhance collaborative cybersecurity. With U.S. cyberattacks costing over $6 billion annually and the average data breach hitting $9.77 million in 2024, the stakes are higher than ever [14].
Leveraging Platforms Like Censinet RiskOps™
Modern cybersecurity platforms simplify the complexities of managing collaborative risk. For example, Censinet RiskOps™ showcases how third-party risks can be handled through automated workflows and centralized dashboards. Its AITM technology enables vendors to complete risk assessments in seconds, summarizing evidence automatically [14].
The standout feature of these platforms is their balance between automation and human oversight. By using configurable rules and review processes, risk teams maintain control while scaling their operations. This is a game-changer for smaller healthcare security teams, which can speed up compliance reporting by as much as 91% using automated security dashboards [14].
When choosing a platform, healthcare organizations should prioritize HIPAA-compliant solutions. Essential features include Business Associate Agreements (BAAs), robust access controls, detailed audit logs, and end-to-end data encryption to safeguard electronically protected health information (ePHI) both in transit and at rest [15].
In addition to platforms, structured frameworks like maturity models play a pivotal role in advancing cybersecurity efforts.
Adopting Maturity Models and Dashboards
Cybersecurity maturity models offer a structured way for healthcare organizations to assess and improve their ability to handle cyber threats [17]. Frameworks such as NIST and CMMI help identify security gaps and benchmark performance through a mix of internal audits and third-party evaluations [17].
Key metrics like Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are crucial for tracking cybersecurity performance. Important SLAs include incident response times, system availability, and data breach notification timelines. Meanwhile, KPIs like incident detection rates, response times, patch management success, and employee training completion provide actionable insights [17].
Ryan Sanders, Chief Information Security Officer at PatientLock, underscores the importance of embedding cybersecurity into daily operations:
"In 2025, healthcare entities will need to go beyond checking off compliance boxes. True cybersecurity maturity is embedded in daily operations and cultural practices. Organizations that don't evolve risk not only data breaches but also the erosion of patient trust." [18]
To complement these frameworks, strong governance practices are essential for sustaining and improving cybersecurity efforts.
Governance and Continuous Improvement
Governance structures ensure that collaborative cybersecurity strategies align with organizational goals while fostering a security-first mindset. Advanced orchestration across GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance) teams allows critical findings to reach the right stakeholders for timely action [17].
A continuous improvement cycle - marked by regular policy updates, the use of advanced cybersecurity tools, and active collaboration within the healthcare sector - further strengthens defenses. For instance, sharing cyber event data through networks like Health-ISAC enhances collective resilience [17][19].
Ryan Sanders emphasizes the importance of education and culture in cybersecurity:
"The key is investing in education and cultivating a security-first culture. Cybersecurity can no longer be an afterthought, or a set of policies buried in a handbook. It needs to be part of how everyone in the organization operates daily." [18]
With the North American healthcare cybersecurity market projected to grow from $15.34 billion in 2024 to $37.84 billion by 2030 - a growth rate of 16.2% annually - organizations that build strong collaborative frameworks today will be better equipped to face future challenges and protect patient trust [16].
The Future of Collaborative Cybersecurity in Healthcare
The fast-paced changes in healthcare cybersecurity are pushing organizations to adopt collaborative models. With a staggering 92% of healthcare organizations experiencing at least one cyberattack in the past year and nearly 70% dealing with patient care disruptions, it’s clear that working in silos is no longer effective [12].
The move toward collaborative cybersecurity marks a significant shift in how risks are managed. Traditional, isolated defenses are proving inadequate against the advanced threats targeting interconnected healthcare systems. As CISA Deputy Director Nitin Natarajan puts it:
"Adversaries see healthcare and public health organizations as high value yet relatively easy targets – or what we call target rich, cyber poor. Given that healthcare organizations have a combination of personally identifiable information, financial information, health records, and countless medical devices, they are essentially a one-stop shop for an adversary." [24]
This reality underscores the need for a new approach to cybersecurity in healthcare.
Key Shifts in Cybersecurity Strategy
Emerging models built on collaboration and shared resources are reshaping how healthcare organizations tackle cybersecurity challenges. Here’s how:
- AI and Machine Learning: These technologies enable real-time threat detection and automated responses, offering a level of protection that isolated systems simply can’t match. They also enhance the collective intelligence of healthcare networks [21].
- Zero Trust Architecture: This "never trust, always verify" approach minimizes vulnerabilities by requiring strict identity and access management. When applied across collaborative networks, it adds multiple layers of protection, making breaches significantly harder to execute [20].
- Unified Platforms: Standardized frameworks for sharing information and distributing threat intelligence are helping healthcare organizations streamline defenses and work together more effectively [22].
The regulatory environment is also driving this shift. With over 180 million individuals impacted by large healthcare data breaches as of late 2024, regulators are emphasizing collective defense strategies [23]. For example, in 2023, CISA issued pre-ransomware notifications to more than 65 U.S. healthcare organizations, showcasing how shared intelligence can stop attacks before they happen [24].
MXDR solutions are another game-changer. These tools provide round-the-clock monitoring and incident response, allowing smaller healthcare providers to access high-level security through community-based models [12].
What Healthcare Organizations Should Do Next
Healthcare leaders need to take immediate steps to adopt collaborative cybersecurity strategies to protect patient care and ensure operational stability. The focus must shift from solely trying to prevent attacks to building resilience against them.
Organizations should start by joining information-sharing networks like the Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center (HC3) and Information Sharing and Analysis Centers (ISACs) [1]. These networks offer real-time threat intelligence and collective defense mechanisms that individual efforts can’t achieve alone.
Investing in platforms like Censinet RiskOps™ can also streamline collaborative risk management. These tools automate processes and provide centralized dashboards to handle vendor relationships and third-party risks efficiently.
HHS Deputy Secretary Andrea Palm highlights the urgency of this issue:
"We have seen a significant rise in the number and severity of cyber attacks against hospitals and health systems in the last few years. These attacks expose vulnerabilities in our healthcare system, degrade patient trust, and ultimately endanger patient safety. The more they happen, and the longer they last, the more expensive and dangerous they become." [24]
Other critical steps include implementing security awareness training and creating robust business continuity plans. These measures ensure rapid recovery and minimize disruptions to patient care. Additionally, adopting cloud-based data storage and regularly updating systems lay the groundwork for stronger collaborative security and prepare organizations for emerging challenges like post-quantum cryptography [21].
The future of healthcare cybersecurity depends on collective action. By embracing community-led models and information-sharing networks, organizations can better protect patient data, maintain operations, and contribute to the overall safety of the healthcare ecosystem. The era of isolated defenses is over - collaboration is now essential to safeguarding patient care in an increasingly connected world.
FAQs
How can network-based cybersecurity models enhance threat detection and response in healthcare?
Network-based cybersecurity models play a crucial role in improving threat detection and response within the healthcare sector. Through real-time monitoring and sophisticated traffic analysis, these systems keep a constant watch on network activity, spotting unusual patterns that could signal potential threats. This allows for quick actions to address risks before they escalate.
On top of that, collaborative frameworks - like information-sharing networks and community-driven threat intelligence - enable healthcare organizations to stay proactive against emerging cyber threats. By working together, these groups can minimize vulnerabilities and ensure that sensitive patient data stays safe and secure.
How does crowdsourced threat intelligence improve cybersecurity in healthcare?
Crowdsourced threat intelligence plays a critical role in bolstering healthcare cybersecurity by encouraging real-time collaboration among organizations. By sharing information about emerging threats, healthcare providers can more effectively detect, investigate, and respond to cyber risks. This reduces potential vulnerabilities and strengthens their overall security defenses.
Tapping into the collective expertise of the community gives healthcare organizations access to a larger pool of threat data. This approach helps them anticipate and prepare for potential attacks more effectively. Beyond improving response times, it also encourages a proactive mindset toward managing risks across the entire sector.
How can healthcare organizations involve clinicians and administrators in cybersecurity planning?
Healthcare organizations can bring clinicians and administrators into the fold of cybersecurity planning by involving them in key decision-making processes right from the start. Their participation in security committees and discussions ensures their insights and concerns are heard and addressed.
Offering role-specific education and training is another essential step. This helps them grasp the critical link between cybersecurity and patient safety, making the issue more relatable and urgent. Creating a culture where everyone shares responsibility for safeguarding sensitive information encourages active participation and accountability.
When collaboration and engagement are prioritized, organizations can develop a stronger, united approach to cybersecurity - one that protects not just data but the trust and well-being of the entire healthcare system.
