Hospitals and clinics
The goal is to protect continuity of care, especially against ransomware, and to protect patient data and medical devices.
/ HEALTHCARE
Healthcare Security Testing
In healthcare, cybersecurity is a patient-safety issue: a system outage or a tampered medical device can affect lives. Our security testing shows where your organization is vulnerable, without disrupting patient care.
[ 01 ] / WHAT IT IS
What is healthcare security testing, and what is its purpose in the sector?
In short
The purpose of healthcare security testing is to show that a healthcare organization's or medical device manufacturer's systems, devices and data are protected against attack, so that continuity of care, patient safety and the confidentiality of health data are not at risk, and that the organization meets NIS2, GDPR and medical device regulatory expectations.
Healthcare is one of the most frequently attacked sectors: health data is highly valuable, continuity of care is critical, and organizations often have limited security resources. A ransomware attack on a hospital is not only a business problem: it can lead to delayed care, postponed surgery and risk to patients. So the purpose of testing here is first of all to safeguard continuity of care, patient safety and health data.
The healthcare environment is unusual: there are many medical devices (imaging systems, infusion pumps, monitors), often running old operating systems, impossible to patch and intolerant of conventional testing. Standard protocols (HL7, FHIR, DICOM) and national integrations (for example electronic health record platforms) form their own attack surface. Testing is therefore cautious, using methods that do not disrupt care, passive where necessary or in a test environment.
The regulatory landscape is tough too. NIS2 classifies healthcare as a highly critical sector, GDPR protects health data as a special category of personal data, the EU MDR and IVDR set cybersecurity expectations for medical devices, and IEC 81001-5-1 describes secure development of health software. Testing provides evidence that controls work. The method builds on penetration testing and vulnerability assessment. This is not legal advice: confirm regulatory obligations with legal counsel.
Regulation and standards
- NIS2
- GDPR
- EU MDR / IVDR
- IEC 81001-5-1
- IEC 62304
- ISO/IEC 27001
- HL7 / FHIR / DICOM
[ 02 ] / WHO IT'S FOR
Who benefits from healthcare security testing, and what is the goal for them?
In healthcare the purpose differs by role, but patients are always at the center.
Medical device manufacturers
The goal is to demonstrate device cybersecurity for market access (EU MDR/IVDR) and to customers, by catching flaws early in development.
Health software and IT providers
The goal is to evidence the security of hospital information systems, patient portals and integrations (HL7, FHIR) to customers and auditors.
Laboratories and diagnostic centers
The goal is to protect sample and result data, and to secure automated lab equipment and the systems connected to it.
Pharmacies, practices and private providers
The goal is to protect health data and show practical GDPR compliance, with a manageable scope and cost.
Digital health providers
The goal is to verify the security of telemedicine, mobile apps and wearable-linked services, and the protection of health data.
[ 03 ] / WHAT'S INCLUDED
What healthcare security testing covers
We tailor the scope to your organization and its continuity-of-care requirements, in agreement with clinical and IT operations teams.
01
Hospital information systems and network
The hospital information system (HIS), PACS, laboratory systems, network segmentation, access management and attack paths.
02
Medical devices
Network connections, default credentials, services and firmware of devices, assessed from a patient-safety standpoint and with cautious methods.
03
Integrations and standard protocols
Security assessment of HL7, FHIR and DICOM, and of integrations with national health systems.
04
Patient portals and mobile apps
Authentication and privacy testing of web and mobile apps and APIs that handle health data.
05
Ransomware resilience
We simulate typical ransomware attack paths and check backups, segmentation, detection and recoverability.
06
Cloud and third-party providers
Assessment of cloud and provider environments that hold health data. See cloud security.
07
Data protection and access control
We review access to personal health data, logging, and protection against unauthorized viewing.
08
Source code review for medical software
Security review of healthcare software and device code during development. See source code review.
[ 04 ] / HOW IT WORKS
How healthcare security testing runs
Above all, the process protects patient care: testing must never conflict with patient safety.
Risk analysis and agreement
With clinical and IT operations leaders we decide what and when we can test, which systems are life-critical, and what stop conditions apply.
Discovery and passive analysis
We map devices and the network without disturbing care, using passive observation and documents.
Test environment and testing
Where possible we test in a test environment or in coordination with the manufacturer. On live systems we test in agreed windows under strict rules.
Patient-safety assessment
We rate findings by their effect on patient safety, continuity of care and data protection.
Report and remediation plan
You receive executive and technical reports and practical recommendations that respect clinical operating constraints (for example compensating protection for unpatchable devices).
Retest and sustainment
After fixes we verify the result and recommend regular testing and continuous monitoring.
[ 05 ] / WHAT IT SOLVES
What healthcare security testing solves, and why it pays off
In healthcare, the cost of downtime cannot be measured in money alone. Testing shows where an attack could halt patient care and which data is at risk, so that limited resources can go to the most important defenses.
It also gives regulators, auditors, partners and patients evidence that you protect your systems and health data in practice, in line with NIS2 and GDPR. For medical device makers it provides evidence needed for market access.
- protects continuity of care and patient safety
- exposes ransomware attack paths before an attack
- protects personal health data
- evidence for NIS2, GDPR and medical device regulation
- compensating protection for devices that cannot be patched
What you receive
- executive summary with patient-safety and business risk
- proven attack paths with evidence
- risk assessment of medical devices
- risk ratings by impact
- remediation and compensating-control plan
- evidence for NIS2, GDPR and medical device audits
[ 06 ] / WHY QYNTAR
Why have Qyntar run your healthcare security testing?
Because in healthcare, caution and respect for patient safety matter even more than technical skill.
Patient safety first
We work with passive methods, test environments and agreed rules so that testing never disrupts care.
Understanding the healthcare context
We know the quirks of clinical systems and medical devices, so our recommendations work within real operational limits.
Evidence that supports regulation
We shape the report so it maps to the evidence needs of NIS2, GDPR and medical device regulation.
The full chain with one partner
From testing to incident response and compliance support, you can work with a single partner. See incident response.
[ 07 ] / FAQ
Frequently asked questions: Healthcare Security Testing
What is the purpose of healthcare security testing?
To show that healthcare systems, devices and data are protected, so that continuity of care, patient safety and the confidentiality of health data are not at risk, and that the organization meets regulatory expectations.
Could testing disrupt patient care?
The methodology exists to prevent that: passive observation, test environments, agreed windows and stop conditions, with life-critical systems handled with extra care. We do not disturb live patient care.
Can medical devices be tested?
Yes, with care. Because of patient safety we agree testing with the manufacturer, biomedical engineers and clinical leaders. For many devices a passive or lab-based assessment is appropriate, and we do not actively attack a device that is connected to a patient.
Does NIS2 apply to our healthcare organization?
NIS2 classifies healthcare as a highly critical sector. Whether you are in scope depends on your size and activity. See NIS2 compliance. This is not legal advice.
What does EU MDR/IVDR mean for cybersecurity?
The EU regulations on medical devices and in vitro diagnostic devices expect manufacturers to design and operate devices securely, including managing cybersecurity risk. Testing supports the manufacturer's evidence, while conformity assessment is carried out by the body the regulation names.
How can an old, unpatchable medical device be protected?
With compensating controls: network segmentation, access restriction, hardening, monitoring and a recovery plan. The test shows where they are needed. See hardening.
How long does a healthcare security assessment take?
From a few days to several weeks depending on the organization's size and scope. Coordination and clarifying the patient-safety conditions often take longer than the testing itself. We give a schedule after scoping.
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