Technology cyber security report by Omdia,9 healthcare
was the sector most heavily targeted by cyber criminals between January and September 2023, with hacking the most common cause of a breach. The second most common cause, according to the report, was supply chain attacks – even more frequent than phishing and ransomware. To reduce the impact of these attacks
and achieve greater data security, the NHS must work with partners equipped to defend workflows from malicious intrusion. Managed IT services providers with the pedigree of big-name providers behind them have the full range of demanding ISO standards and data security qualifications in their credentials. They understand that the smallest of vulnerabilities can be exposed, leading to the biggest of consequences.
A managed service approach means access privileges and human interactions are under 24/7 supervision. This integrates advanced solutions that constantly monitor network end- points for unauthorised access or activity. With supply chain attacks so rife, NHS Trusts need to be sure they are on-boarding partners that have the expertise, resources and insight, along with externally-validated cyber credentials to take on the work.
Culture and mindset Major companies that are already intimately familiar with the NHS and its many different working practices are well-positioned to provide these significant benefits in efficiency underpinned by security. They have the technical expertise and the understanding of the aims of CDIOs (Chief Digital and Information Officers) tasked with digital transformation initiatives. But they also understand how disruptive fundamental changes to data handling and processes can be for staff of all grades – administrative and clinical. Change-management therefore is an important element of any process transformation strategy, with buy-in necessary from the highest levels of the organisation. After many experiences in major NHS IT
transformation projects, frontline staff need reassurance that change will be positive and that the managed services company they have partnered with will still be around to provide full support once implementation has gone live.
Why a managed services approach for NHS? Many NHS Trusts already benefit from the managed services approach in relation to their complex print requirements. This highly efficient approach can be extended to cover business processes and IT in the office power-
houses of each NHS Trust. Intelligent process automation software is compatible with many HR and ERP platforms. Rather than replacing existing systems, it complements them, filling in any gaps in functionality. This builds a bridge to further digitisation and the implementation of solutions designed to boost collaboration, harden data protection and make it easier to introduce sustainable work practices. There are multiple angles from which to
generate greater efficiency. Automated indexing transforms document-tracking and retrieval, for example. Data capture from all workstreams facilitates access, insight and preparation. This will transform costly and time- consuming medical archiving – a complex and legally necessary process that is extremely data-intensive and requires high levels of data- integrity, security and accessibility. Trusts can automate all these processes without loss of oversight and without compromising security. Ultimately, it will free up staff so they can focus on higher value tasks that contribute to improving the patient pathway. By taking some straightforward steps that improve how it handles the vast volume of critical patient and administrative data in its processes, the NHS will take a major stride towards digital transformation. In advance of yet more sweeping reorganisations, it will achieve greater efficiency and the provision of more advanced care with better patient outcomes. Automation and enhancement of
interoperability between new applications and legacy solutions are fast becoming necessary as the twin foundations of superior, patient- centred healthcare that makes full use of current advances in medical technology. The introduction of a new managed services approach to IT is how the NHS can shape up to today’s challenges as it prepares itself for the future.
References 1. NHS England, Records Management Code of Practice. Accessed at: https://transform.
england.nhs.uk/information-governance/ guidance/records-management-code/records- management-code-of-practice/#contents
2. CPI inflation rate for health in the United Kingdom from 1st quarter 1989 to 2nd quarter2024. Accessed at: https://www.
statista.com/statistics/621969/health- inflation-rate-uk/
3. Inflation rate for the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in the United Kingdom from January 1989 to July 2024. Accessed at: https://www.
statista.com/statistics/306648/inflation-rate- consumer-price-index-cpi-united-kingdom-uk/
4. Health Foundation, New analysis shows NHS budget squeezed by inflation and population
growth, 19 March 2024. Accessed at: https://
www.health.org.uk/news-and-comment/ news/new-analysis-shows-nhs-budget- squeezed-by-inflation-and-population-growth
5. BBC, NHS computer issues linked to patient harm, 30 May 2024. Accessed at: https://www.
bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4nn0vl2e78o
6. Scroxton, A. Synnovis attack highlights degraded, outdated state of NHS IT, Computer Weekly, 8 Jul 2024. Accessed at: https://www.
computerweekly.com/news/366592754/ Synnovis-attack-highlights-degraded- outdated-state-of-NHS-IT
7. Clark, L. It’s time to celebrate the abysmal efforts to go paperless in the NHS, The Register, 5 Oct 2023. Accessed at:
https://www.theregister. com/2023/10/05/pick_your_year_its_time/
8. Barnard, H, Blog - Scope 3 - from data to action. Economist Impact, 9 Nov 2023. Accessed at:
https://impact.economist.com/sustainability/ social-sustainability/scope-3-from-data-to- action
9. Huber, N. Cyber attacks are one of the biggest threats facing healthcare systems, Financial Times, 16 Jan 2024. https://www.
ft.com/content/77d54679-0915-4ce2-a42f- 0c2b844da7ef
CSJ About the author
Gary Day is the Group Director of Public Sector, at Apogee Corporation. Gary has over 30 years of sales management experience within the Managed Print and IT solutions space. Working in both Corporate and Public Sector client channels, Gary’s most recent roles have been at executive level concentrating on successfully delivering sales channel integration, transformation and growth through sales team development. Gary has been responsible for the development of a number of high value client relationships, working strategically with a number of key global vendors (both in Print and ICT) as well as significant experience in the ongoing growth of Government and Independent framework providers.
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