From science fiction to science fact, – Digital Care Hub share details on their cyber security support programme which offers invaluable advice on security.
Cyber security has featured in the plot of science fiction for years. But, with a whole population being born with a mobile phone in their hands, talk of hackers and cyber-attacks is now commonplace – including in the care sector.
According to the Government’ cyber security breaches report 2024, half of businesses (50%) and around a third of charities (32%) report having experienced some form of cyber security breach or attack. That is, of course, likely to be a significantly underestimation as many breaches and attacks go undiscovered.
While care homes may not be the primary target for cyber criminals, they can be the unwitting victims. If an IT system that you use for payroll, staff or residents’ records is attacked, you could also be affected as part of the wider supply chain. You could lose access to sensitive and critical information, such as someone’s health and care needs, or their banking details.
Human error also plays a major role in accidental data breaches. According to the Information Commissioners Office’s analysis of data breaches reported by social care, 78% were due to non cyber issues – including data being emailed, posted or faxed to the wrong recipient, verbal disclosures of data, and the loss or theft of paper records.
So what can care homes do to reduce the risk and impact of a cyber-attack or any other form of data breach?
Training staff on data and cyber security is essential.
All care home staff should understand the importance of data security and protection and their personal responsibility to handle data safely. They should be aware of data protection legislation and what it means in their day-to-day roles, and they should be able to identify data breaches and incidents and know what to do if one happens.
Better Security, Better Care – the support programme hosted by Digital Care Hub – has developed free elearning and face-to-face training materials to help care providers to train their staff. To date there have been around 60,000 views of the elearning content since December 2023 – indicating a massive interest in developing skills in this area.
Both the elearning and the face-to-face training materials are designed to be used flexibly and cover four key modules:
- Data protection rights and responsibilities
- Keeping data secure
- Threats to data security
- Data breaches
The materials are free to use on a non-commercial basis, and can enable care providers to meet the training requirements with the Data Security and Protection Toolkit – the official self-assessment resource for the sector.
Visit https://www.digitalcarehub.co.uk/digital-skills-and-training/
