Gloucestershire cybersecurity firm, Cylera, has recently announced a new three-year partnership with the NHS. The deal involves providing the company’s patented technologies to Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, one of Kent’s largest hospital trusts.
With a local population of over 500,000 people, the trust relies on more than 11,000 connected medical and IoT devices, as well as other digital equipment for patient care and building management. This number has doubled over the past four years as the NHS adopts new technology to enhance patient services.
The collaboration with Cylera will enable the trust to have a centralized dashboard to view, manage, and assess the risks associated with these medical and connected IoT devices. This comprehensive asset inventory will play a crucial role in enhancing the trust’s cyber security measures.
The healthcare sector, including the NHS, is a prime target for cyber criminals aiming to disrupt national infrastructure networks and essential services. Cyber attacks on healthcare organizations have been on the rise globally, with an average of 1,426 attacks per week. These breaches cost an estimated £7.8 million per successful attack.
Cylera hopes to help Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust prevent such attacks, especially after recent breaches affecting NHS workers’ access to patient records. Gary Hickinson, head of IT at the trust, emphasized the importance of investing in digital infrastructure to provide better care for patients. He praised Cylera’s solution for its ability to identify vulnerabilities and provide full visibility into all connected devices.
Steve Brigden, head of Cylera UK and Ireland, expressed his pleasure in continuing the partnership with Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust. He highlighted the increasing investment in digital strategies across healthcare settings and Cylera’s mission to ensure secure environments for patients and staff.
The agreement between Cylera and the NHS trust reflects the ongoing efforts to strengthen cyber security in the healthcare sector. As hospitals become more connected, it is crucial to have robust systems in place to protect patients and staff.