Securing Wi-Fi access is a top priority for healthcare firms: Fortinet

As IoT and mobile device adoption escalates in India,Fortinet identifies cybersecurity challenges and recommends Wi-Fi security models for healthcare networks to balance security with flexibility.

Fortinet reminded CISOs in the healthcare sector to make Wi-Fi security a top priority in protecting their organisations. As Internet of Things (IoT) and mobile device adoption are driving healthcare professionals to access their networks through a multitude of devices, healthcare firms must balance the need for security with the flexibility of allowing almost any type of device onto their networks.

According to a recent IDC research report, the Asia-Pacific (APAC) IoT market is undergoing a dramatic expansion with the number of connected things increasing to 8.6 billion by 2020, representing a significant 29 per cent of the global total. In terms of spending on IoT, APAC (excluding Japan) is also projected to top the world in 2018 with $312 billion.

“Hospitals, clinics and elder care facilities across India are increasingly relying on wireless technology for better patient outcomes and improved operational efficiency. From accessing patient records with computers on wheels or handheld tablets, to getting telemetry from medical devices, nurse call systems and location-tracking applications, Wi-Fi access is now at the heart of patient care,” said Rajesh Maurya, Regional Vice President, India & SAARC, Fortinet.

Fortinet identifies three distinctly different WLAN deployment models for Health IT organizations to enable healthcare organisations to safely on-board caregivers’ personal devices, as well as medical equipment of every type without compromising security:

1. The Integrated Model is based on unified network and security management tightly integrated on a single platform and managed through a single pane of glass. The integrated option is skewed toward ease of operation and superior visibility and control through its seamless integration of security and wired and wireless infrastructure under a unified management interface. This model best suits health networks with multiple locations.
2. The Controller Model is ideal for Health IT organizations that like to manage networking and security separately, often using different vendor equipment. Wi-Fi and security are provided by different best-of-breed components, each managed independently. The WLAN system uses a channel management approach, which enables rapid deployment and scaling, as well as offers several reliability and traffic isolation advantages.
3. The Cloud-Managed Model is preferred by Health IT organizations with a large number of small sites requiring secure wireless networks. Security and WLAN control are tightly integrated in a cloud management platform allowing for centralized management and policies without the deployment of on-premises controllers. This model is suitable for health networks with many locations such as physician practices, clinics, community health centers and assisted living facilities.

“To protect patient data and deliver the best possible care, health networks need holistic, end-to-end cybersecurity at every point of care and in every facility, from clinics to hospital campuses. Health IT organisations can best serve their many and varied constituents by considering which WLAN model best meets their organizational needs, without compromising security,” concluded Maurya.