As the healthcare C-suite reshuffles its priorities and the responsibilities of its members, technology chiefs in a healthcare organisation can have a hard time getting their voice heard.

 

While the role of the CIO and CISO continues to take a more central position in decision-making, there can still sometimes be gaps in understanding about the importance of their contribution from the people who hold the purse strings.

 

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One area where technology heads struggle to convince C-suite colleagues of the need for investment and action is that of cyber security.

 

This is in spite of the growing number of cyber attacks on healthcare systems where patient data, a precious digital commodity, is threatened.

 

Both the financial and reputational cost of such incidents can be high and have a severe impact on operations.

 

With so many pressures and priorities on the table, many C-suite leaders overlook the importance of cyber security largely because of a lack of tech savvy.

 

Deloitte Insights has released a report homing in on how CIOs and CISOs can impress upon C-suite executives the necessity of investing in cyber security.

 

The global business advisory service interviewed 18 biopharma, health plans, medical device manufacturers, and health systems C-level executives for an overview on what communication strategies are working and where the challenges lie.

 

Deloitte pinpointed the following seven strategies that CIOs/ CISOs can leverage to communicate their message on cyber security:

 

Engage leadership and build trust through dialogue: provide cyber threats and vulnerabilities facts and figures on which executives can make solid decisions.

 

Make it relatable through storytelling: use face-to-face time effectively by illustrating the situation in a way that’s engaging, crisp and clear.

 

Underline the “cyber-everywhere” mentality: drive home that expansion on the cloud with patient apps means cyber security is more critical.

 

Emphasise cooperation amongst healthcare organisations on cyber security: describe how cyber threat cultivates cooperation, not competition.

 

Use metrics to illustrate risks and how they link back to organisation: stipulate that cyber security is a business decision and not solely a technical move.

 

Be ready to defend cyber security investment: not all cyber threats come with an immediate tangible financial cost so be prepared to explain secondary impact on data destruction, credit-rating and loss of intellectual property.

 

Champion innovation in recruitment models: being open to unorthodox cyber security hiring can mean a stronger, more versatile team.

 

 

Source: Deloitte Insights

Image credit: Pixabay

 

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Leadership, Healthcare, cybersecurity, CIO, Risk Management, Life Sciences, Cyber Threats, C-Suite, CISOs As the healthcare C-suite reshuffles its priorities and the responsibilities of its members, technology chiefs in a healthcare organisation can have a ha...