Patient data is a treasure trove for hackers. Sensitive personal and medical information can be used in a variety of ways, from identity theft and insurance fraud to ransomware attacks. No wonder data theft is on the rise in the healthcare field. In the United States, for example, the medical data of more than 88 million people was leaked last year alone. The healthcare sector is by far the number one target for cybercrime.
AI risks and opportunities
AI opens up a new front in this cyber war. As healthcare systems increasingly incorporate his AI capabilities, there is an increasing need for even larger datasets in this context. At the same time, the threat of data breaches has increased, putting patient privacy at risk of violating regulations such as the security measures built into the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Exposed. These measures require healthcare organizations to adequately protect patient data and notify in the event of a data breach.
The good news is that AI can be used to improve security. When used well, AI can also strengthen the security posture of healthcare institutions. Sarah Rench, global data, AI and security director and Databricks leader at Avanade, explains: As we make progress on that front, we can look at how generative AI can be used to improve broader cybersecurity and build cyber resilience. ”
Protect medical institutions
As Rench points out, securing generative AI applications and using generative AI to improve security doesn't have to be expensive. For example, Microsoft allows organizations to leverage existing licenses to use tools such as Microsoft Defender (antivirus solution) and Microsoft Sentinel (threat detection and security automation). This way, CIOs and their teams can easily extend existing security systems to cover new AI applications.
The next step is to leverage generative AI itself to improve security. Avanade's Microsoft Security Copilot initiative is a great example. This approach uses Security Copilot, Microsoft's new generative AI security assistant, to help detect threats, manage incidents, and improve your organization's security posture. The tool is versatile and integrates with the Microsoft ecosystem to enable more effective incident response, threat hunting, security reporting, compliance and fraud operations, cybersecurity training, security virtual agents, and more. .
Reduce the risk of AI security deployments
As with any new technology, CIOs considering implementing AI-assisted security will have concerns about effectiveness, safety, business value, and return on investment. This is where working with partners like Avanade pays dividends. Avanade brings deep expertise in the Microsoft platform, as well as sector specialists and repeatable implementation frameworks that accelerate time to value. This partnership-based approach reduces the risk of AI implementation and ensures that the system effectively meets your organization's security and compliance needs.
As the AI revolution advances, the threats facing healthcare organizations will only increase and become more challenging. By making the most of existing security licenses and strengthening your security posture through tools like Microsoft Security Copilot, healthcare organizations can be best positioned to protect valuable patient data. .
Ready to put AI at the center of your data protection strategy? Take Security Copilot's readiness assessment today.
