NHS England has partnered with the North East Business Resilience Centre on a pilot project designed to tackle cyber threats by delivering ‘digital health checks’ for small and medium businesses in the social care sector in the North East and Yorkshire, including free cyber services and training.
The North East Business Resilience Centre will be providing the services, described as “blend of corporate businesses, policing and academia to help protect businesses” from threats such as crime and fraud. Examples service include an internal or external vulnerability assessment, exploring what a cyber criminal would see if they gained access to an organisation’s network as well as how they might get there; security awareness training; and a “comprehensive gap analysis and plain language recommendations” based on existing policies, risk management and situation.
Rebecca Chapman, the centre’s CEO and director, states that many social care providers “are new to cyber security and need help to get to a basic standard”. She described the scheme as helping “vulnerable businesses who either cannot afford cyber security services or are unaware of what steps they need to take to secure their business”.
Support is available for care homes through the pilot, with funding allocated on a first-come-first-served basis; organisations are encouraged to contact england.dsptney@nhs.net to express interest.
Spotlight on cyber security
Last month, we reported that a team from the University of Huddersfield is developing a secure threat intelligence sharing platform with the aim of helping to protect AI-enabled diagnostic tools from cyber attacks.
Also in July, we covered the King’s Speech 2024, which included plans for a Cyber Security and Resilience Bill set to expand regulatory remits to provide protection to a higher number of digital services.
Additionally, we noted an opportunity for services to support a cyber security focused programme and assurance model from NHS England.
Digital social care: the wider trend
In May, HTN reported that the Department of Health and Social Care published a tender for a partner organisation to help deliver projects supporting digital skills development of the adult social care workforce.
Earlier in the year, we shared the announcement of the launch or expansion of projects stemming from the Adult Social Care Technology Fund, including the use of 4D imaging to detect falls; medication monitoring to support patient safety; and pain assessment tools and “robotic pets” to support communication challenges and independent living.
And we highlighted a prior information notice around the planned procurement of an interoperability platform to support adult social care from the DHSC.
