In the past, healthcare institutions like hospitals and physician practices in Australia relied on IT vendors mainly for basic technical support—handling equipment management, updating software, and addressing technical issues. IT services were often considered just another line item in the organization’s operating budget. However, as healthcare’s technological needs have evolved, the role of IT has grown exponentially, now being crucial to both clinical and financial outcomes.

While the mission of providing high-quality care remains unchanged, the technology that supports it has become far more integral. Here are some key ways IT now impacts healthcare:

• Healthcare data breaches involving 500 or more patient records surged from 199 incidents in 2010 to 707 in 2022, primarily due to cyberattacks.

• The frequency of ransomware attacks on healthcare organizations more than doubled from 2016 to 2021.

• Telemedicine has grown significantly, with telehealth services making up 5.9% of all reimbursable claims in 2023, compared to just 0.15% in 2019.

• Smartphone ownership in Australia has skyrocketed, increasing from 35% in 2010 to 91% in 2023.

• The cloud is set to contribute an additional $100 to $170 billion in 2030 for healthcare companies.

• Nearly 85% of healthcare systems using AI expect to significantly increase their investment in the next 1-3 years.

As a result, IT service providers have expanded their offerings far beyond just providing technical support. Today, companies like Insight IT offer a full range of services, including proactive cybersecurity consultations, long-term IT planning, and even virtual chief information officers (vCIOs) and chief information security officers (vCISOs).

Cybersecurity Is Now a Priority

Cybersecurity has always been a concern for healthcare organizations, but with increasing cyberattacks, the need for robust protection has never been more urgent. In 2022, 95% of healthcare organizations in Australia experienced a cybersecurity incident. A significant portion of these incidents had a “moderate” to “severe” impact, disrupting patient care and incurring costs ranging from $100,000 to $10 million per incident.

The surge in cyberattacks, particularly ransomware, has been alarming. These attacks hold healthcare IT systems hostage until a ransom is paid, and during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the FBI issued warnings to healthcare organizations about increasing threats. Today, healthcare institutions face an average of 1,410 cyberattacks per week, with healthcare being the second most targeted industry.

Evolving IT Support for Healthcare

With these rising threats, healthcare IT service providers have moved from offering quick fixes to building comprehensive cybersecurity strategies. A full-service IT partner will assess security vulnerabilities, block potential entry points, continuously monitor for threats, and establish rapid-response protocols to safeguard data and ensure operational continuity.

In regions experiencing a shortage of healthcare providers, system downtimes can severely affect patient health and safety. In some areas, finding qualified IT partners with expertise in healthcare cybersecurity is a challenge, but certain attributes are crucial for success:

• Healthcare Expertise: A reliable IT partner should understand the unique regulatory environment and workflows in healthcare. Whether it’s a small orthopedic practice or a large hospital system, a qualified partner should be able to tailor solutions to each organization’s needs.

• Best-in-Class Technology: An ideal IT partner offers cutting-edge technology and is able to provide alternatives if existing solutions are not achieving the desired results.

• Proactive Cybersecurity: Given the immense financial and operational risks, cybersecurity should be a top priority. A dedicated IT partner must have specialized knowledge in healthcare cybersecurity to tackle emerging threats.

The Path Forward: Safe and Secure IT Management

Over the past two decades, healthcare IT has transformed significantly. The introduction of electronic health records, cloud-based systems, and advanced analytics has greatly improved the industry’s ability to manage and analyze patient data. However, these technological advancements have also made healthcare organizations prime targets for cybercriminals.

As the landscape continues to evolve, healthcare providers need to dedicate more resources to securing their IT systems. Waiting for a cyberattack to occur is not an option. Instead, healthcare organizations should proactively seek out qualified IT service providers to ensure their data remains secure and that they can continue delivering optimal care to patients.

While relying on external IT services involves some level of risk, such as sharing control over systems and data, carefully selecting the right partner can help mitigate these concerns. By clearly defining expectations around data security, system visibility, communication, scalability, and compliance within service agreements, healthcare organizations can protect their data and ensure that their IT systems are up to the task of supporting high-quality patient care.