Legacy systems within the healthcare sector are increasingly being identified as a significant barrier to effective incident response and security, according to recent analysis by HealthTech Magazine. This situation arises from the siloed nature of IT teams that manage these ageing technologies, which complicates visibility across enterprises. This lack of insight poses challenges in determining the origin of problems when they arise, resulting in extended troubleshooting periods often characterised by blame-shifting among teams.
Jeffrey Olson, the director of SD-WAN product and technical marketing at Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company, highlighted the pressing nature of this issue. “As threats evolve, technical debt becomes a roadblock,” Olson stated, noting that while advancements in security protocols aim to counter prevalent threats, reliance on older technologies renders healthcare organisations vulnerable until they can perform upgrades.
The process of upgrading legacy systems can prove to be quite complex and laborious. Olson elaborated that achieving an enterprise-wide understanding of deployed assets is crucial; without this comprehensive view, healthcare organisations struggle to manually patch numerous devices—ranging from laptops and medical instruments to various network endpoints. As a result, existing vulnerabilities remain unaddressed, increasing susceptibility to potential cyber threats.
In addressing the burden of technical debt, Olson urged the importance of immediate action. “Sweating it out” for an additional two or three years will likely exacerbate the situation, as systemic change in healthcare is inherently time-consuming. Delaying necessary upgrades not only prolongs security risks but also hampers potential innovations, particularly in leveraging cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence.
To navigate this challenge, organisations are encouraged to undertake a thorough gap analysis that can discern the legacy technologies currently in use and the distinct limitations these pose. Commenting on a strategic approach, expert Ragsdale suggests that organisations should focus on resolving pain points that contribute to complicated workflows, ensuring they align more closely with both security and operational best practices.
This comprehensive evaluation and prioritisation of technical debt reduction are essential steps for healthcare organisations aiming to enhance their capability to safely adopt innovative technologies while fortifying their security posture.
Source: Noah Wire Services