By Mark Harris, IT Manager at Radar Healthcare
The digital transformation of the NHS has revolutionised patient care, streamlined administrative processes, and enabled powerful insights through data. Yet, this digital shift comes with a growing vulnerability: cyber threats. As one of the most data-rich sectors in the UK, healthcare is a top target for cyber criminals.
From ransomware attacks to phishing emails, the frequency and severity of cyber incidents are escalating. The implications aren’t just financial or reputational – they directly impact patient safety. In today’s interconnected world, cyber security in healthcare is a core component of delivering safe and effective care.
At Radar Healthcare, we work daily with a wide range of health and social care providers to help them manage risk and quality more effectively. That’s why we take cyber security, risk, and compliance incredibly seriously – it’s essential to fulfilling our duty of care to our partners. As IT Manager, I’ve seen firsthand how vital it is for organisations to take proactive steps to secure their systems, protect sensitive data, and stay ahead of evolving threats.
Understanding the Threat Landscape
The NHS, as the UK’s largest employer and an essential national service, is a prime target. In 2022 alone, there were over 1,400 reported cyber incidents across NHS organisations – many involving phishing attacks and malware. The 2017 WannaCry ransomware attack demonstrated just how vulnerable critical infrastructure can be, causing mass disruption.
Cyber criminals are constantly adapting. With the use of social engineering and AI-driven attacks, traditional defences like spam filters and antivirus software are no longer enough. Healthcare data is incredibly valuable on the dark web, making NHS systems an attractive target.
The deeper issue isn’t just the cost or consequences – it’s whether the NHS is prepared for the scale of the threat.
Building Strong Cyber Defences: People, Policy, and Planning
Cybersecurity in healthcare starts with a solid foundation. That means having a well-defined risk framework, supported by effective tools and systems. At Radar Healthcare, our quality and compliance management system is a central hub for incident reporting and risk tracking, helping organisations stay compliant and respond quickly.
A key component of a successful cyber strategy is a clear cyber response plan. Knowing what to do when something goes wrong – who to contact, what actions to take, how to contain the threat – can make all the difference in limiting the impact of an incident. This plan must be practical, accessible, and rehearsed.
It’s this human vulnerability that often creates the entry point for attackers, which is why a strong focus on staff training is so important and plays a huge role in prevention. Phishing simulations, for example, are one of the most effective ways to build awareness. By mimicking real-world scams and offering feedback and educational content, these simulations help staff develop the instincts to spot suspicious activity. When paired with regular communication, video training, and real-world examples, training becomes part of the organisational culture.
We also ensure that all staff complete annual training tasks, along with regular refreshers to check compliance and reinforce best practices across the organisation.
Clear policies and procedures – such as password guidelines and acceptable use policies – ensure that everyone knows what’s expected of them. Cyber security isn’t just about technology; it’s about behaviour. Everyday staff need clear, understandable guidance to make safe choices online.
Responding to an Attack: Planning for the Inevitable
While prevention is crucial, resilience means being ready to respond. A well-prepared organisation will have an incident response plan in place that can be activated immediately when an attack is detected.
At Radar Healthcare, when an incident is logged through our compliance system, me, our Security Engineer, and our IT support partner are notified immediately. Depending on the nature of the threat – whether it’s a phishing email or an actual data breach -predefined procedures are launched. This might involve removing harmful emails from all inboxes, isolating affected systems, or initiating communication protocols with relevant authorities, as well as notifying our internal team.
Response planning must also consider worst-case scenarios, including data breaches involving sensitive patient information. Organisations need to be clear on who to notify, how to report incidents, and what legal or regulatory obligations must be fulfilled. Cyber security isn’t just about stopping attacks – it’s about recovering swiftly and minimising harm when they occur.
If you are unable to have an IT team, an effective IT partner can not only support day-to-day operations but also help organisations navigate emergencies with confidence. Choosing the right partner requires diligence, expertise, and an understanding of healthcare-specific needs.
Staying Secure with Routine Audits and Modern Infrastructure
Ongoing assessments of cyber security readiness are essential. Regular security audits allow organisations to identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. These audits should include system checks, policy reviews, software patching schedules, and penetration testing.
Internal audits can be conducted by trained staff, while more complex testing – like penetration testing – may require third-party specialists. Testing should examine both internal and external systems, ensuring that the entire IT ecosystem is protected.
At Radar Healthcare, we conduct audits to assess data security across the organisation. At Radar Healthcare, we have a dedicated team accountable for managing these checks and acting on the findings – but everyone within the team is responsible for being aware and vigilant. It’s crucial for all organisations to do the same – being proactive is just as important as being reactive.
Third-Party Risk: Ensuring Partners Are Up to Standard
In today’s interconnected ecosystem, healthcare providers rely on a wide network of partners, vendors, and suppliers. Every additional connection presents potential risks, which is why it’s vital to evaluate the security credentials of third-party providers.
Industry certifications like Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO 27001 provide assurance that a partner has the right controls and processes in place. These frameworks demand regular reviews, secure development practices, and well-documented response plans. Any provider handling sensitive health data should meet – and ideally exceed – these standards.
At Radar Healthcare, we take a layered, proactive approach to security, supported by a dedicated team focused on security and compliance. We’re proud to hold a range of key accreditations, including Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus, ISO 27001, ISO 9001, HIPAA, and other recognised compliance standards.
As an organisation entrusted with sensitive data, we’re committed to upholding the highest standards of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information assets. We’re especially proud to be among the first healthcare organisations to achieve ISO 27001 accreditation – a testament to our rigorous approach to data protection and risk management.
The Role of Technology and Continuous Innovation
Modernisation is more than a buzzword – it’s essential to staying secure. Legacy systems are not only harder to maintain, but they often lack modern security features. By moving to cloud-based platforms and leveraging automation, healthcare organisations can stay agile and secure.
Upgrades must also support visibility – enabling real-time monitoring, logging, and response. Today’s cyber defence strategies rely on having an accurate picture of what’s happening in your environment at all times. The right tools and architecture allow for early detection, which is often the difference between a minor incident and a major breach.
Conclusion: A Secure NHS Is a Stronger NHS
Cyber security in healthcare is not optional – it’s a core function of safe, modern care delivery. From protecting patient data to ensuring operational continuity, it affects every layer of the NHS.
The good news is that many of the best defences are also the most practical: training staff, maintaining good cyber hygiene, investing in response planning, and working with the right partners. Together, these measures create a resilient, secure foundation for the future.
To keep pace with emerging threats, healthcare providers must stay informed. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is a vital resource, offering updates, tools, and guidance tailored to UK organisations. It’s a central hub for best practices, training materials, and threat intelligence – all essential for adapting defences in a fast-changing landscape.
Cyber security must be treated as a dynamic challenge, not a one-off project. Threats evolve, and so too must our responses. That’s why ongoing investment in education, systems, and partnerships is key to long-term resilience.
The NHS is one of the most cherished institutions in the UK. As it continues to embrace digital innovation, protecting it from cyber threats must be a national priority. A secure NHS is not just a better health service – it’s a safer one for everyone.
