Ordr will look to provide an innovative new Systems Control Engine (SCE) system, to improve the safety of patients by discovering and securing every connected device, including Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), Internet of Things (IoT) and Operational Technologies (OT).
As a result of the deployment, all hospital equipment connected to the Trust’s network, medical and non-medical, can be profiled, protected and monitored under one umbrella system, which can detect any abnormal activity that may suggest a device has been compromised.
With healthcare organisations being vulnerable to cyber attacks such as ransomware, due to outdated operating systems on some connected devices, networks consisting of IoT, IoMT and OT devices may have different operational owners, creating a massive attack surface if not properly managed.
This risk mandates the need for a common platform that can deliver visibility and security for all these devices, not just medical devices.
The deployment from Ordr, which has been carried out alongside channel partner M8 Solutions, follows a similar agreement with the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS), made in January 2021.
Delivering an effective cyber security strategy within healthcare
“This is a huge step forward in our cyber security capabilities. These are positive steps to give us a level of assurance that our hospitals are as safe as possible for our UHNM team and our patients,” said Mark Bostock, information management and technology director at the UHNM Trust.
Dr Zia Din, the Trust’s chief clinical information officer, added: “Saving time for staff and reassuring patients that they and their information are safe is always a priority for us.
“This system is invaluable, allowing our staff to care for our patients safe in the knowledge that cyber security is being taken care of.
“It is reassuring that we are less likely to have disruption to our systems necessary for delivery of patient care.”
Bob Vickers, head of UK and Ireland at Ordr, commented: “There is an urgent need, more than ever before, to address the visibility and security of unmanaged IoT, IoMT, and OT devices – especially as healthcare organisations are currently under immense pressure to cut costs and leverage resources efficiently to face the plethora of challenges brought on by the pandemic.
“With Ordr, security teams can increase visibility into IoT risks, bring devices into compliance, manage procurement and capital spend.
“By leveraging device utilisation insights, healthcare organisations can identify areas of over or under use, freeing-up resources to treat more people in need.”
