Balance between budget constraints and security investments
Hospital security budgets are often thin and forced to carefully prioritize investments for security leaders. York emphasizes that successful healthcare security programs link security master plans with organizational strategies. “Security and overall employee well-being should be the fundamental foundations of strategic, cultural and risk management plans curated by all healthcare systems. Where this is the case, a significant investment in an overall protective attitude is being followed. For example, healthcare security programs that directly link security masterplans with the overall human resources strategy of health systems have consistently found more success in acquiring the capital resources needed to invest in advanced security technologies. “He explains that security should not be a compliance checkbox, but should be part of the hospital's cultural and strategic planning.
Yorks said: “However, programs that cannot integrate security plans with organizational culture, talent and risk strategies are required to “just fewer.” ”
Warren emphasizes and emphasizes that security experts should include in early discussions about new technologies. “Hospitals must be strategic about the new and advanced security technologies they pose. They must look closely at not only ROI but how such systems can affect patient care and potential threats, such as potential gateways that enemies can use to penetrate the network,” he says. “One of the most important aspects of budget and resource allocation is how organizational leadership views security. This is a cost center or business investment.”
Lisa Terry suggests alternative financing options, such as grant programs. “Grants and public funding applications are great ways to strengthen security technology budgets. Government programs such as the non-profit security grant program and the Crime Victims Act often provide incremental funding to improve health infrastructure, including security measures,” she points out. “Cloud-based security systems can provide cost-effective, scalable solutions for both physical and cyber defense. Technologies like AI-powered surveillance systems can be alternatives to enhance physical security. Healthcare organizations can partner with group purchasing organizations to reduce costs and purchase advanced technologies at lower costs, allowing them to achieve joint purchases and efficiency.”
Reilly offers many facilities that have been spreading technology investment for several years to manage costs. The first step is to assess the physical protection system (PPS) that includes policies, procedures, equipment, and personnel. In many cases, policies and procedures are very little costly to implement, but can be a huge benefit.
“Think about equipment that blocks, delays, and detects threats. Advanced video, access controls, and alarm systems are becoming more and more common, but many organizations are not making full use of these tools. Today's systems often have features such as camera call-ups triggered by alarm features that many users overlook,” emphasizes Riley.
The role of staff training in security preparation
The organization's security attitude is only as strong as staff preparation. Warren describes an effective security program as a “three-legged stool” that includes physical, operational and cultural security. “If staff don't know how to use it properly, the best access control system is useless,” he says. “Security awareness needs to be embedded in hospital culture.”
York emphasizes the importance of training clinical staff to handle violent patient encounters. “Medical security personnel often work with nurses and doctors to escalate aggressive behavior,” he explains. “Training programs should focus on language de-extensive techniques and intervention strategies that prioritize patient safety while protecting staff.”
Reilly added that ongoing scenario-based training is essential for security teams. “A one-time training session is not enough,” he says. “Security personnel should regularly test it in real-world scenarios, such as active shooter drills and cyber violation simulations.”
Terry emphasizes the importance of trauma-based training. “Security staff should be trained to handle cases with compassion and professionalism, especially when working with behavioral health patients,” she notes. “A well-trained team can ease the situation before it escalates.”
Cybersecurity challenges in the age of telehealth
The rapid rise in telehealth has introduced new cybersecurity risks. Reilly admits that while Telehealth has improved access to patient care, it also created vulnerabilities that hackers want to exploit. “Multi-factor authentication and end-to-end encryption are essential to protecting telehealth platforms,” he explains. “IT and security teams need to work closely together to protect remote access.”
Terry adds that vendor management is another important concern. “Healthcare organizations should conduct a thorough risk assessment of third-party telehealth providers,” she says. “Ensuring compliance with HIPAA and other regulatory frameworks is key to preventing data breaches.”
Warren warns that rapid adoption of new technologies could outweigh the organization's protective capabilities. “The use of tools such as remote access and telehealth has dramatically improved the access and convenience of providing much-needed healthcare services to the community, but if not properly protected, it poses certain risks. IT and cybersecurity experts must be at the forefront of planning and implementation of such systems to prevent the careless exploitation of such technologies,” he advises. “Phishing techniques and other cybercrimes continue to evolve and improve just like security measures. It's like the old proverb “Make a better mouse and make a smarter mouse.” ”
The power of strategic partnerships
Collaboration is a fundamental aspect of effective healthcare security. Public-private partnerships, industry associations, and law enforcement cooperation will strengthen security readiness.
Warren points to programs such as the FBI's Infrastructure Guard and the Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) as valuable hospital resources. “These initiatives provide intelligence sharing and security best practices that healthcare organizations can use to stay ahead of new threats,” he says.
Warren adds that there is an increasing trend in organizations pooling their respective expertise on security and safety advances in the healthcare industry, in close collaboration with the Institute of Facility Guidelines (FGIs), such as the Association of Private Sectors and Healthcare Safety and Security (IAHSS), to help patients and joint committees to support patients and expand their own guides and expand their guides, adding that there is an increasing trend in the organizations that pool their respective expertise on security and safety advances in the healthcare industry.
Terry emphasizes the importance of industry collaboration. “Organisations such as the IAHSS and the Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI) are committed to developing security best practices,” she notes. “Hospitals actively involved in these groups benefit from collective expertise. Building and nurturing relationships with local police, fire departments and emergency management teams will strengthen emergency planning. Furthermore, partnering with universities will allow us to investigate innovative security solutions tailored to healthcare.”
York emphasizes the need for a strong relationship with local law enforcement. “Many hospitals do not have armed security presence on the premises and therefore rely on local police to respond quickly,” he explains. “Regular coordination and collaborative training exercises can ensure a smooth response to emergencies.”
Riley advocates for deeper integration between security and IT teams. “Cyber and physical security experts need to work together, not silos,” he says. “By promoting stronger partnerships, hospitals can cope with the threat overall.”
Progress: A unified approach to healthcare security
Security professionals need to adopt a proactive and integrated approach as the threats to healthcare facilities continue to evolve. Insights from Warren, York, Terry, and Riley highlight the importance of effectively combining technology, training and strategic collaboration to mitigate risk.
The healthcare industry must recognize security not as an operating expense, but as a long-term investment in patient and staff safety. By coordinating security with overall organizational strategy, ensuring staff readiness, leveraging technology responsibly and promoting strong partnerships, hospitals can create resilient security frameworks that meet the challenges of an increasingly complex threat landscape.
