Protecting the continuity of care, building robust healthcare ecosystems

Why cybersecurity should be healthcare's top priority today

Real-time data. Risks of theft of sensitive Personal Health Information (PHI). Threat actors targeting staff to steal credentials. Supply chain and third-party risks on the rise. It is a complex ecosystem that leaves you vulnerable.

Cybersecurity is a board-level issue

For healthcare leaders, cybersecurity is a core responsibility. Organisations safeguard sensitive patient data and must ensure that security standards match the level of trust patients place in their care. At the same time, cybersecurity must work seamlessly in the background, providing strong, invisible protection so staff can focus fully on delivering quality care.

A proactive strategy: from prevention to assume breach

When reviewing the existing security setup, it became clear that everything was designed to keep attackers out but there was no reliable way yet to detect them if they got in. Intrusions could remain invisible, creating an unacceptable risk. By adopting an assume breach approach, the focus moved to continuous detection, full visibility, and rapid response. 

Digital stability is critical to delivering patient care

Modern pharmacies depend entirely on digital systems to operate effectively. From prescribing and interaction checks to allergy alerts, patient record access, and inventory management, every critical process relies on technology. When these systems fail, care delivery can stop entirely.

The status quo

As a healthcare provider, SHG handles highly sensitive medical data. Any compromise would not only disrupt operations but could severely damage patient trust and organisational credibility.

Digital systems underpin nearly every aspect of daily operations. When these systems fail, care delivery slows or stops entirely. This risk became tangible when a system outage rendered one of SHG’s pharmacies inoperable for three days. Staff were unable to access essential information, and services were interrupted. The incident showed how deeply dependent healthcare delivery had become on stable and secure digital infrastructure.

Implementing the solution

To respond to this need, SHG sought a cybersecurity partner capable of providing continuous monitoring, threat detection, and strategic guidance. Eye Security stood out for its “assume breach” approach, the recognition that no organisation can prevent every intrusion but every organisation can detect and respond effectively.

"We had focused on keeping attackers out. But if someone did get in, we would not have immediate visibility."
Guts Wissema
ICT Coordinator, SHG Groep

Following onboarding, Eye Security deployed 24/7 monitoring, vulnerability detection, and centralised visibility across SHG’s infrastructure, supported by continuous analysis from its Security Operations Center (SOC). Further, Eye Security provided access to a centralised security portal that gave leadership clear, real-time insight into their security posture.

SHG had full visibility into its environment: which devices are compliant, where vulnerabilities exist, and which risks require attention. The platform also provided proactive alerts about emerging threats, along with concrete recommendations to mitigate them. Regular strategic check-ins ensured ongoing alignment between SHG and Eye Security’s experts. 

During implementation, healthcare professionals could continue their work uninterrupted, without needing to manage or even notice the security controls operating in the background.