HICP Underutilized: Less Than Half of Health Systems Have Aligned Cyber Practices to HHS Guidelines
Post Summary
Fewer than 50% of healthcare systems in the U.S. have implemented the Health Industry Cybersecurity Practices (HICP) guidelines developed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This low adoption rate leaves many healthcare organizations vulnerable to cyberattacks, jeopardizing patient safety and operational continuity.
Key Points:
- HICP provides healthcare-specific strategies to combat top cyber threats, such as phishing and ransomware.
- Despite increasing cyberattacks, many organizations struggle to implement HICP due to limited budgets, outdated systems, and a lack of leadership focus on cybersecurity.
- The disconnect between cybersecurity teams and executives is a major barrier, as many leaders fail to recognize cybersecurity as a patient care issue.
Solutions include starting with basic security measures (e.g., multi-factor authentication), leveraging federal resources like CISA, and fostering leadership accountability to prioritize cybersecurity as integral to patient safety.
Healthcare systems must act now to address these gaps, as delays in adopting HICP increase risks to both data security and patient care.
Barriers to HICP Implementation
Even though HICP brings clear advantages, healthcare systems face a tangled web of challenges, from financial constraints to leadership gaps, that make adopting these security measures difficult. These obstacles create a tough environment for implementing the framework effectively.
Budget and Staffing Constraints
Money - or the lack of it - is a big hurdle. Many healthcare organizations operate on shoestring budgets, often perceiving cybersecurity as an expense rather than a necessity tied to patient safety. On top of that, there’s a shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals, making it even harder to fill critical roles. For rural health systems, the struggle is even more pronounced. They often have smaller IT budgets and face significant challenges in attracting specialized talent.
These financial roadblocks are only one piece of the puzzle, as technical challenges add another layer of complexity.
Technical Implementation Difficulties
The technical side of HICP implementation is no walk in the park. Healthcare systems often need to juggle multiple cybersecurity frameworks, leading to confusion about where to focus their efforts. Outdated IT systems and medical devices lacking modern security features further complicate the process. Upgrading these systems requires meticulous planning to avoid disruptions in patient care. Additionally, fragmented IT infrastructures, often involving numerous vendors, demand strong project management and coordination to ensure everything runs smoothly.
But even with the technical hurdles, leadership and awareness issues can be just as obstructive.
Leadership and Awareness Issues
One major barrier is the lack of executive understanding of the connection between cybersecurity and patient safety. The HICP framework emphasizes the need for healthcare leaders to see cyber risks as a direct threat to patient care, yet many executives continue to treat cybersecurity as a purely IT issue rather than a clinical priority [1].
"Given the increasingly sophisticated and widespread nature of cyber-attacks, the HPH sector must make cybersecurity a priority and make the investments needed to protect its patients." [1]
This disconnect between cybersecurity teams and leadership often results in poor resource allocation and weak commitment to robust security initiatives. Resistance to change within organizations also plays a role. The HICP framework stresses the need for a cultural shift, where cybersecurity is seen as an integral part of patient care [1].
"To adequately maintain patient safety and protect our sector's information and data, there must be a culture change and an acceptance of the importance and necessity of cybersecurity as an integrated part of patient care." [1]
On top of these challenges, healthcare leaders are constantly balancing competing priorities. Immediate operational demands, regulatory compliance, and strategic goals often take precedence, delaying necessary investments in cybersecurity. Although the HICP main document calls for greater executive awareness and action on cybersecurity [2], many organizations are still struggling to turn this awareness into solid, actionable plans.
Solutions for HICP Implementation Problems
Healthcare organizations can tackle the challenges of adopting HICP guidelines by taking deliberate, step-by-step actions. The goal is to build a solid security foundation while proving its value to leadership. Addressing issues like budget constraints, technical hurdles, and leadership buy-in requires a resourceful and methodical approach.
Starting with Core Security Controls
Begin with the basics. Focus on implementing essential HICP controls first. For example:
- Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) for critical accounts to add an extra layer of protection.
- Automate software patching for non-critical systems while setting clear protocols for handling critical devices.
- Conduct staff training with simulated phishing exercises to reinforce secure behaviors.
When employees actively engage in these practices, their awareness grows, creating a ripple effect that promotes better cybersecurity habits across the organization.
Leveraging Government and Industry Support
Take advantage of resources from government and industry groups to ease the implementation process. Federal agencies offer financial aid and grants specifically aimed at improving cybersecurity in healthcare. For instance, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) provides free tools like vulnerability scanning and risk assessments to help identify and address security weaknesses.
Collaboration through information-sharing networks, such as the Health Information Sharing and Analysis Center (H-ISAC), also plays a critical role. These partnerships keep healthcare providers informed about new threats and proven defense strategies. Additionally, industry associations often host webinars and workshops where peers share practical advice and success stories about implementing HICP recommendations.
Building a Security-Driven Culture
Technology alone isn’t enough to protect an organization. Cultivating a culture where cybersecurity is viewed as a core part of patient care - not just an IT task - is just as important. Leadership plays a key role here. When executives actively monitor cybersecurity metrics alongside operational performance, it signals to the entire organization that security is a shared responsibility.
Ongoing communication and training are also essential. Regular newsletters, meetings, or even dedicated awareness events can keep security top of mind for staff. Forming cross-functional security teams with members from clinical, administrative, and IT departments ensures diverse perspectives and collaboration in security planning.
Periodic incident response drills are another must. These exercises test the organization’s readiness for potential threats, uncover gaps in procedures, and help refine response strategies. By practicing coordinated responses to simulated incidents, healthcare teams can strengthen their preparedness and make cybersecurity a seamless part of daily operations.
Taking these foundational steps sets the stage for deeper compliance efforts and ensures that cybersecurity becomes an integral part of the organization’s routine.
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How Censinet Supports HICP Implementation
Healthcare organizations often face challenges like tight budgets and fragmented IT systems, which can make adopting the Health Industry Cybersecurity Practices (HICP) guidelines feel overwhelming. However, platforms like Censinet RiskOps™ simplify the process by automating key tasks and reducing the strain on resources. This platform provides a practical, streamlined approach to implementing HICP, helping organizations build stronger cybersecurity defenses.
Platform Features That Support HICP
The Censinet RiskOps™ platform addresses many of the common obstacles to HICP adoption with features designed to save time and effort. For example, its automated workflows significantly cut down on the manual work involved in risk assessments. This is a game-changer for smaller IT teams, enabling them to manage complex cybersecurity programs without stretching themselves too thin.
Another standout feature is Censinet AITM™, which speeds up third-party risk assessments. Vendors can complete security questionnaires in seconds instead of weeks, thanks to automation that summarizes vendor documentation, integrates key details, and flags potential risks from fourth-party relationships - issues that might otherwise slip through the cracks.
The platform also includes a centralized dashboard that consolidates cybersecurity metrics, compliance statuses, and threat indicators in real time. This single view makes it easier for risk managers to monitor progress against HICP guidelines and quickly identify problem areas that need immediate attention.
Additionally, the platform uses AI-powered routing to ensure that critical findings from assessments are directed to the right teams, such as members of the AI governance committee. This targeted approach ensures that key issues are addressed promptly by the appropriate stakeholders.
Simplifying Compliance Management
Compliance with HICP guidelines doesn’t have to be a headache. By standardizing routine tasks, the Censinet platform reduces the burden on risk teams while maintaining oversight. Configurable rules and review processes allow organizations to keep control, ensuring that automated tools assist rather than replace essential decision-making.
Censinet Connect™ takes vendor risk assessments to the next level by offering a standardized framework aligned with HICP requirements. Instead of creating custom questionnaires for every vendor, organizations can use pre-built templates that cover all necessary control areas. This approach ensures consistency and thoroughness across evaluations.
The platform also fosters collaboration through its risk network, where organizations can share threat intelligence and best practices. For example, if one healthcare system identifies a new vulnerability or implements an effective control, others can quickly adopt those insights. This is especially helpful for smaller health systems with limited cybersecurity resources.
With tools for continuous monitoring and reporting, HICP compliance becomes an ongoing effort rather than a rushed, periodic task. Automated alerts notify teams when security metrics deviate from acceptable ranges, and regular reports keep leadership and regulators informed about progress.
By automating compliance tasks and using standardized assessments, the platform not only saves time but also provides a clear, comprehensive view of an organization’s cybersecurity readiness.
Measurable Results from Censinet Tools
Healthcare organizations using Censinet’s platform report noticeable improvements in managing cybersecurity risks. The AI-powered assessment tools reduce the time needed for risk evaluations from weeks to just days, while also improving the quality and consistency of these assessments.
The platform’s real-time data aggregation, displayed through an intuitive AI dashboard, gives healthcare leaders the insights they need to make informed decisions about cybersecurity investments. Organizations can measure their progress against HICP benchmarks, track key performance indicators, and demonstrate ROI to executives.
Another advantage is the platform’s scalability. Whether an organization is managing dozens or hundreds of vendor relationships, the system maintains reliable performance and provides detailed oversight - crucial for health systems navigating mergers and acquisitions.
Continuous monitoring and automated reporting ensure that HICP compliance becomes part of daily operations. The platform routinely evaluates control effectiveness, updates risk profiles to reflect new threats, and generates detailed compliance reports for leadership.
Moving Forward with Healthcare Cybersecurity
Healthcare systems urgently need to close the gap between the guidelines outlined in the Health Industry Cybersecurity Practices (HICP) and their real-world application. Low adoption rates of these best practices have created a widening disconnect, and this isn’t just about meeting compliance standards - it’s a matter of patient safety that requires immediate attention.
To address this, healthcare organizations must rethink their approach to cybersecurity. Leadership and accountability are critical. Studies show that organizations with strong information security leadership, such as Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), achieve broader cybersecurity coverage - even when operating with limited resources [3]. Investing in capable cybersecurity leadership not only enhances protection but also delivers measurable financial and operational benefits.
However, even with improved leadership, the challenges remain steep. Healthcare organizations are grappling with rising cyberattacks, staffing shortages, and limited resources [3]. Yet, those who adopt structured frameworks are seeing progress. For instance, a 2024 study found that organizations participating in consecutive benchmarking studies improved their coverage across all NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) functions and HICP best practices year over year [3].
Interestingly, financial incentives are emerging as a motivator for adopting robust cybersecurity practices. Organizations leveraging the NIST CSF as their primary framework reported insurance premium increases that were one-third lower than those of non-NIST CSF organizations [3]. These savings can help offset the costs of implementing cybersecurity measures over time.
The path forward lies in focusing on core cybersecurity programs and high-impact measures, such as email protection and data security systems [3]. By starting with foundational practices and gradually building on them, healthcare organizations can make meaningful progress.
These frameworks offer step-by-step guidance tailored to the unique challenges of the healthcare sector, making them accessible to organizations at any stage of cybersecurity maturity [3].
Healthcare providers must act now - not just to protect sensitive data but to ensure that critical services remain available when patients need them most. Organizations that evaluate their current performance against HICP practices and set clear priorities will be better positioned to navigate an increasingly complex threat landscape. Cybersecurity is no longer optional; it’s a core element of patient care. Delays and half-measures are no longer viable. The time to act is now.
FAQs
What challenges do healthcare systems face when adopting the HICP guidelines?
Healthcare systems face numerous hurdles when implementing the Health Industry Cybersecurity Practices (HICP) guidelines. One of the biggest challenges is keeping up with the ever-evolving nature of cyberattacks, which demand constant attention and increasingly sophisticated security measures. At the same time, healthcare organizations must ensure their systems remain functional and user-friendly - a balancing act that’s easier said than done.
Other obstacles include tight budgets that limit cybersecurity investments, reliance on outdated legacy systems, and the intricate task of managing a web of interconnected devices and networks. On top of that, human error - like falling for phishing scams or using weak passwords - continues to pose a serious threat. Addressing these issues calls for a strategic approach: investing in staff training, integrating cybersecurity into daily operations, and treating it as a vital part of both patient care and overall system resilience.
What steps can healthcare organizations with limited budgets take to enhance their cybersecurity practices?
Healthcare organizations operating on tight budgets can enhance their cybersecurity by turning to the Health Industry Cybersecurity Practices (HICP) guidelines. These guidelines are designed to provide recommendations tailored to the size of the organization - whether small, medium, or large - making it easier to address specific vulnerabilities and needs.
By applying the HICP's actionable strategies, organizations can improve their ability to prevent, respond to, and recover from cyber threats. Focusing on these practices not only boosts overall cyber defenses but also helps protect patient safety and sensitive data, even when resources are limited.
Why is leadership involvement essential for implementing HICP guidelines, and how can executives be motivated to treat cybersecurity as a critical aspect of patient care?
Leadership’s role is key when it comes to implementing HICP guidelines, as it places cybersecurity front and center in an organization’s priorities. When executives actively get behind these initiatives, they ensure the organization has the resources, funding, and focus needed to safeguard patient data and maintain smooth, secure healthcare operations.
To gain executive buy-in, it’s helpful to present cybersecurity as a patient safety concern rather than just a technical issue. Emphasize the real-world risks - data breaches, care disruptions, and the financial toll of cyberattacks. Framing these threats in terms of patient trust and the organization’s ability to deliver consistent, high-quality care often resonates more deeply. This approach helps align cybersecurity with the broader mission of ensuring safe and reliable healthcare.
