As the spread of a new mutation of COVID-19 virus has induced fear among the Britons living in Tier 1 and 2 cities, security experts warn that cyber threats might immensely pressure the healthcare systems across UK and Europe.
Although the vaccination roll out to curb the spread of Corona Virus has began, most medics suggest that the efficiency of the drug will only be visible after a 45 day time frame, i.e. only after the jab is injected into a recipient.
Therefore, under these circumstances, if digital threats start hitting the digital infrastructure of the healthcare systems, then it can spell doom in the distribution and administration of the government funded vaccination program.
The National Health Service (NHS) has already played its part to strengthen the defense line of govt aided hospitals against cyber attacks. And it is urging private entities to bolster their defenses against cyber attacks, so that the entire nation can be vaccinated through proper coordination within no time.
Britain’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) a cyber arm of GCHQ says that it is aware of the threats lurking in the cyber landscape and has already propagated different strategies to several healthcare units to help them easily mitigate the risks.
Healthcare organizations are being urged to secure their computer networks with threat monitoring software and anti-malware solutions, as they can help thwart the risks before any untoward incident takes place. Also, taking data back at regular intervals and educating the employees about the risks lurking in the cyber landscape can help hospitals in keeping the public safe from Corona spread and other health care issues.
