The rapid digitization of the healthcare industry has brought about unprecedented advancements in patient care and operational efficiency. However, this transformation also exposes sensitive patient data to new and evolving cyber threats. Healthcare organizations are now prime targets for cybercriminals, with data breaches having severe consequences, including compromised patient privacy, financial losses, and a significant erosion of trust. This course provides a robust foundation for understanding the unique cybersecurity challenges facing the healthcare sector and equips professionals with the strategies to defend against them.

This training program is designed to move beyond basic security concepts and delve into the specialized requirements of a healthcare environment. Participants will gain practical knowledge in protecting electronic health records (EHRs), securing medical devices, and ensuring compliance with critical regulations like HIPAA. By focusing on a blend of proactive defense, risk management, and incident response planning, this course empowers participants to build resilient cybersecurity frameworks that safeguard patient information and maintain the integrity of their healthcare systems.

Duration

5 days

Target Audience

• Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs)
• Healthcare IT security analysts
• Compliance and privacy officers
• Hospital and clinic administrators
• Medical device engineers
• Health information managers
• System and network administrators
• Quality assurance managers
• Data protection officers
• Cybersecurity consultants specializing in healthcare

Objectives

• Understand the unique threat landscape and attack vectors in healthcare.
• Develop a comprehensive risk management and mitigation strategy.
• Master the principles of protecting electronic protected health information (ePHI).
• Implement robust network and infrastructure security measures.
• Secure Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) devices and connected equipment.
• Create and test an effective incident response plan.
• Ensure compliance with major healthcare regulations and standards.
• Conduct security audits and vulnerability assessments.
• Foster a culture of security awareness throughout the organization.

Course Modules

Module 1: Foundations of Healthcare Cybersecurity

• The unique value of healthcare data and its appeal to attackers.
• A deep dive into the most common cyber threats in healthcare.
• The role of cybersecurity in patient safety and continuity of care.
• Introduction to key regulatory frameworks and industry standards.
• The importance of a layered defense strategy.

Module 2: Risk Management and Threat Intelligence

• Conducting comprehensive cybersecurity risk assessments.
• Identifying and prioritizing critical assets and vulnerabilities.
• Utilizing threat intelligence to anticipate attacks.
• Developing a robust security policy and governance framework.
• Implementing security controls based on risk tolerance.

Module 3: Data Protection and Privacy

• Protecting Electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI).
• Encryption methods for data at rest and in transit.
• Access control and authentication mechanisms.
• Data loss prevention (DLP) strategies.
• Ensuring data integrity and availability.

Module 4: Network and Infrastructure Security

• Securing wireless networks and remote access.
• Segmentation of hospital networks to contain threats.
• Protecting servers and databases from compromise.
• The role of firewalls, intrusion detection, and prevention systems.
• Cloud security best practices for healthcare data.

Module 5: Medical Device and IoT Security

• Understanding the vulnerabilities of connected medical devices.
• Securing the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT).
• Patch management for legacy and modern devices.
• Device lifecycle management from procurement to decommissioning.
• Best practices for securing clinical applications.

Module 6: Incident Response and Disaster Recovery

• Developing and documenting a clear incident response plan.
• Roles and responsibilities during a security incident.
• Containment, eradication, and recovery strategies.
• Communication protocols for internal and external stakeholders.
• Business continuity and disaster recovery planning.

Module 7: Governance, Compliance, and Future Trends

• Auditing and monitoring for continuous compliance.
• The future of AI and machine learning in cybersecurity.
• Emerging threats like ransomware and supply chain attacks.
• The importance of employee security training and awareness.
• Preparing for the next generation of digital health technologies.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.