CISA released the Federal Civilian Executive Branch (FCEB) Operational Cybersecurity Alignment (FOCAL) Plan on September 16, 2024, to provide coordinated support and services to over 100 FCEB agencies. The plan addresses the diverse cybersecurity needs of these agencies, which operate independently with unique missions, networks, and risk tolerances.
The FOCAL Plan is a strategic framework designed to enhance how healthcare organizations operate by optimizing logistics, data analysis, risk management, and technology. The plan targets areas of improvement to streamline operations, reduce inefficiencies, and deliver better patient outcomes.
The FOCAL Plan stresses accurately tracking and managing assets to optimize usage and ensure they are functioning as expected. Healthcare organizations can reduce waste, allocate resources efficiently, and maintain operational resilience by improving visibility into asset inventory.
Healthcare organizations face cyberattacks, with hackers often targeting vulnerabilities in IT systems. The FOCAL Plan prioritizes vulnerability management as a defense mechanism. The plan prioritizes identifying, assessing, and mitigating vulnerabilities in both technology and workflows. Regular vulnerability assessments, patch management, and employee training can reduce the risk of attacks such as ransomware or data breaches.
Related: Why healthcare is a major target for cyberattacks
A secure and defensible architecture is another pillar of the FOCAL Plan. In healthcare, systems must be designed with security in mind, ensuring that they can withstand potential threats and minimize the impact of attacks. Defensible architecture involves implementing layered security measures, from firewalls and encryption to access controls and network segmentation.
The healthcare supply chain is increasingly interconnected, with organizations relying on third-party vendors and suppliers for medical devices, software, and services. The FOCAL Plan addresses the growing risks associated with this reliance through C-SCRM. C-SCRM involves evaluating the security practices of suppliers and managing risks related to vendor systems.
In healthcare, quick identification of security incidents helps minimize damage and prevent the disruption of patient care. The FOCAL Plan promotes continuous monitoring, real-time threat detection, and well-coordinated incident response procedures. Healthcare organizations can contain breaches, recover faster, and avoid significant operational downtime by swiftly responding to potential threats.
A Russia-linked criminal syndicate, known as the Blacksuit group infiltrated Monroe County, Indiana's computer systems, effectively shutting down all government offices and local courts for an entire week. The breach crippled the county's operations, rendering computers and systems unusable across all government offices and local courts. County officials were left trying to restore normalcy, as they grappled with the extent of the damage and the potential exposure of sensitive data.
This incident shows the growing threat of state-sponsored cybercrime targeting vulnerable public institutions. As government agencies and public entities become more reliant on technology, they are increasingly attractive targets for sophisticated cybercriminal groups.
Cybersecurity protects sensitive patient data, ensures the integrity of clinical systems, and helps prevent disruptions that could impact patient care and safety.
Employee training in healthcare cybersecurity helps staff recognize threats like phishing attacks, use secure communication methods, and follow best practices to prevent data breaches.
Encryption ensures that even if data is intercepted, it remains unreadable to unauthorized users, providing an extra layer of protection for patient information.