Why powerful, secure networks are critical for first-class healthcare

With the world in recovery mode following protracted pandemic-related disruptions, one of the sectors facing significant challenges is healthcare.

A combination of significant staff shortages, cybersecurity threats, and budgetary constraints is putting pressure on management teams and having a flow-on impact on both staff and patients.

This situation was confirmed by research conducted by Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), in partnership with Extreme Networks. In a report titled Emerging from the COVID Pandemic, the organisation noted hospitals had to find a balance between meeting existing patient needs and upgrading facilities and infrastructure for the future.

The report highlighted the fact that hospitals need to continue to invest next-generation IT equipment and applications to ensure they could continue to deliver the best possible standard of medical care. This infrastructure must also be secure at all times to prevent disruptions by cyberattacks.

According to the HIMSS report, cybersecurity was nominated as a challenge by survey respondents, along with the cost of the technological advancement needed to ensure first-rate care could be provided.

Frustratingly, a recent research paper prepared by the Ponemon Institute found only 30% of organisations believe they are effectively keeping up with a changing threat landscape. 

One topic upon which the vast majority of respondents (93%) agreed was that their data network is considered a strategic asset that is essential to the success of a hospital's operations.

This demonstrates an acute awareness of the importance of modernising and investing in a network that is resilient and able to withstand cyberattacks. It needs to be able to safeguard patient data, uphold operations during an ongoing influx of devices, and provide the best possible healthcare to patients. The Ponemon Institute survey also found that 59% of respondents rank technology modernisation and digital transformation as a top-three priority. 

These often-competing demands pose constant challenges for a hospital's network. It can be difficult for IT teams to find a solution that drives automation, minimises security risk, and reduces costs without sacrificing one of those options for another.

However, at the same time, this also represents an opportunity for organisations -- especially smaller, non-profit outfits -- to implement automation and machine learning (ML) tools to bridge any deficits. With these additions, a network can actually become a strategic asset.

Focus on the network
Often, healthcare organisations tend to focus on new applications, cybersecurity efforts, and the patient experience while losing sight of their network infrastructure. They seemingly forget that the network is actually the core that makes all of those applications succeed.

If a hospital's network architecture isn't up to standard, it won't matter what other IT areas receive investment. Those systems won't function as they should, which could lead to significant, long-term problems. 

It also needs to be recognised that a reliable and resilient network infrastructure is nothing without staff to oversee its operation. According to the research, healthcare organisations report that maintaining staff at appropriate levels is their biggest challenge.
 
It is clear that the healthcare sector, now more than ever, requires a network that is a strategic asset and one that can help alleviate staffing shortages with automation. It must also be able to protect against cyberattacks and withstand the demands of modern technology.

Investing in networking infrastructure will also allow healthcare providers to overcome the challenge of technical debt. This is when spending tends to focus on short-term IT fixes rather than comprehensive, longer-term solutions.

Senior managers need to understand that accruing technical debt could result in security breaches or system failures in critical areas. By instead making an organisation's network a priority, such challenges can be better managed or even avoided.

Just as robust, secure networks have helped improve productivity in areas such as manufacturing and retail, they can bring similar benefits to healthcare. The result will be more efficient facilities and better levels of patient care.