The Crucial Role of Efficient Identity Management for Zero Trust Approach in Healthcare Sector

The Crucial Role of Efficient Identity Management for Zero Trust Approach in Healthcare Sector

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The whirlwind of activity in the healthcare sector, whether it's a mammoth organization serving multiple states or a humble rural health center, calls for a multitude of teams to collaborate. From third-party vendors providing food and laundry services to temp staff during medical emergencies, the need for network access is paramount.

In 2021, an astonishing 96% of healthcare facilities utilized temporary allied health workers, as per a report from staffing company AMN Healthcare. These workers aren't doctors or nurses but encompass professionals like physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, and more.

Transitioning to a hybrid workforce means a hospital's security perimeter must extend beyond physical walls. Amid the chaos, Identity and Access Management (IAM) remains a significant hurdle as organizations shift to a zero-trust security mindset.

*Check out our analysis below to learn how IAM bolsters healthcare security and streamlines access.*

Healthcare organizations safeguard critical, sensitive data, but not everyone requires constant access. With staff turnover and other organizational shifts, IT teams need to ensure seamless management of access, minimizing workflow disruptions.

"Effective IAM grants users access to required data without excessive risk, unnecessary privileges, or an annoying user experience," argue several CDW security experts in a 2024 white paper. "IAM can help organizations reconcile the perceived conflict between cybersecurity and user experience as simpler security protocols often drive employee compliance. IAM is also a prerequisite for zero trust, an effective shield against data breaches."

Identity and Healthcare's Zero-Trust Strategies

Identity forms one of the five pillars of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Zero Trust Maturity Model. According to the agency, "Zero Trust signifies a shift from a location-centric model to a user, context, and data-centric approach with fine-tuned security measures between users, systems, applications, data, and assets that evolve over time."

Managing hundreds, if not thousands, of identities in healthcare can be daunting, given the fluctuating workforce. Leaders from Ohio-based aging services provider Eliza Jennings shed light on their experiences at the LeadingAge 2023 Annual Meeting and Expo.

Senior care providers rely on temporary personnel in numerous departments, and managing their temporary credentials has proven tricky. While universal login credentials boost efficiency, they are less desirable from a security standpoint. Physical access control is another significant concern for ongoing security training and management.

"I believe we become a bit lax at times with keys and access, especially during offboarding employees, ensuring the keys are collected and properly documented. Don't forget to include them in the training as well," Vice President of IT Michael Gray stated during the session.

According to a 2023 Okta survey, 9 out of 10 healthcare respondents view identity as either very important or somewhat important to their zero-trust security strategies. However, when it comes to verifying internal and external users, passwords are still the top method, followed by security questions and one-time passwords in hardware.

*Learn more: Nailing IAM is vital for healthcare security.***

The Perks of an IAM Approach to Zero Trust in Healthcare

Healthcare organizations adopting stronger IAM can expect improvements in third-party management, increased efficiency for IT teams, and reduced security risks.

Health systems inevitably collaborate with numerous vendors, but they can fortify their third-party risk management strategy. "IAM aids organizations in managing these risks by applying stringent authentication and access controls to third-party users. This includes limiting their privileges and revoking access when it is no longer needed. IAM solutions simplify these processes by increasing visibility into third-party access privileges and histories and assigning access based on carefully defined roles," the CDW experts claim.

IAM solutions can simplify complexity and support IT teams with customizable workflows and policies, dashboards, and other features. Automation can streamline onboarding and offboarding processes and diminish error.

As insider threat concerns grow, IAM solutions empower teams to monitor user activity and enforce least privilege access. "IAM also addresses vulnerabilities emerging from human error, including weak passwords, susceptibility to phishing, and outdated software or devices," the CDW experts emphasize.

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2. The workplace should prioritize wellness, addressing not only physical conditions but also mental health.
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7. In the healthcare industry, therapies and treatments for various medical conditions continue to advance, offering hope for patients.
8. The environment is a significant focus in environmental science, with impacts on public health and wellness.
9. Finance plays a crucial role in healthcare, funding research, development, and delivery of services.
10. Healthcare facilities are increasingly adopting temporary allied health workers to meet their staffing needs.
11. Identity and Access Management (IAM) is a critical component in securing sensitive data in the healthcare sector.
12. With a hybrid workforce, ensuring secure and streamlined access becomes even more important.
13. IAM can help organizations balance cybersecurity and user experience, promoting employee compliance.
14. Zero trust is a strategic approach to security that involves a user, context, and data-centric approach.
15. In the Zero Trust model, identity is one of the five pillars, signifying a shift from a location-centric model to a more fine-tuned security structure.
16. Managing identities in healthcare is difficult given the fluctuating workforce and the need for strict security measures.
17. Physical access control is a significant concern for ongoing security training and management in healthcare.
18. A 2023 Okta survey revealed that 9 out of 10 healthcare respondents consider identity important for their zero-trust security strategies.
19. Despite the importance of identity in zero-trust strategies, passwords remain the top method for verifying internal and external users.
20. IAM solutions can help healthcare organizations manage third-party risks, making their collaboration with vendors more secure.
21. IAM solutions can simplify complex processes, streamline workflows, and reduce errors in the onboarding and offboarding process.
22. As insider threats become more concerning, IAM solutions empower IT teams to monitor user activity and enforce least privilege access.

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