A RACE AGAINST TIME

“I CAN’T FIND IT!”

“The patient’s information is missing!”
Sarah’s voice echoed down the corridor, sending a chill through the hospital.

Dr. Claire, a seasoned surgeon at ALPHA Health Group, turned to her with wide eyes.
“What do you mean?” she asked with a shaky voice.

It was just hours before a critical surgery, and the patient’s details, including medical history, allergies, and previous surgeries, were gone.
Vanished!
This information was important for the operation. Without it, the surgery could be dangerous, even fatal.


Earlier that day, a new resident named Mark had been tasked with updating patient records.
Anxious to prove himself, he had rushed through the process, and in his haste, accidentally deleted the entire database. The hospital was in a state of panic. The team was in chaos, and the surgery was just hours away.

Back at the hospital, someone had a bright idea amidst the chaos. “Call Jane,” they said.

Jane was the hospital’s third-party cloud security engineer. She had a deep understanding of cybersecurity principles and a calm demeanour.

“Jane, we need you,” Dr. Claire said when she answered the call. She went ahead to explain the situation, her voice wavering.

“I’m on my way,” Jane replied, already gathering her devices and logging into the hospital’s cloud system remotely.


Jane arrived at the hospital and immediately took control.
Her first step was to ensure that the system hadn’t been hacked but was secure from any potential threats.
She understood that while recovering the data was urgent, it was equally important to protect the hospital’s entire network.

After checking the system for any unusual activity or compromise of firewalls, Jane turned her attention to the database.
“Let’s see if we can recover the deleted data,” she said, her fingers flying over the keyboard.

After what felt like an eternity, Jane turned to the team with a relieved smile.
“I’ve restored the database from last night’s backup. It’s not the most recent, but it has all the critical information you need for the surgery.”


The room erupted in cheers and sighs of relief. Dr. Claire hugged Jane, with tears of gratitude in her eyes.
“Thank you, Jane,” she said.
“You saved the day!”
“It’s all part of the job,” Jane replied with a modest smile.
“But this is a good reminder of why having cybersecurity measures in place is so important.”

As the team prepared for the surgery, they reflected on the day’s events.
It was clear that while the immediate crisis had been averted, there were important lessons to be learned.

Dr. Claire gathered the staff.
“We need to ensure this never happens again,” she said.
“We’ll work closely with Jane to implement stronger cybersecurity measures.”

With the surgery a success and the patient recovering well, ALPHA Health Group took steps to ensure their cybersecurity was top-notch.
They hired more IT staff, invested in better technology, and, most importantly, made Jane a key part of their team.


This nightmare scenario highlights the importance of the CIA triad of cybersecurity: Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability. In this story, all three aspects were compromised.
Let’s break it down:

  • Confidentiality: Patient data was exposed due to a lack of access controls.
  • Integrity: Accidental deletion compromised data accuracy.
  • Availability: Critical information was inaccessible when needed most.

In layman’s terms, confidentiality is like keeping a secret. Patient data, like medical history and address, is sensitive information that only authorized people should see. But when there is no limit on who can access it, it’s like leaving a confidential file on a public table where anyone can read it.

Now, Integrity is about keeping information accurate and trustworthy. Imagine you order a meal but when it gets to you, it is already open. You are not sure if the rider has put something inside, making the meal untrustworthy and lacking integrity. When important information is deleted or changed by mistake, it becomes incomplete and inaccurate. It’s like writing an important phone number on a piece of paper, but then accidentally tearing it up, so you can’t read it anymore.

Finally, when critical information is inaccessible when needed most, it affects availability. Availability means having access to information when you need it. In this case, the patient’s data was missing when the doctors needed it most – right before surgery! It’s like trying to open a locked door without the key – you can’t get in when you need to. By ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and availability, we can keep sensitive information safe and secure.


What Should Have Been Done Differently: A Cloud Security Engineer POV
A cloud security engineer does more than just fix problems. They proactively implement measures to prevent issues from happening in the first place. With Jane’s expertise, ALPHA Health Group could have avoided the data disaster.
Here’s how they help avoid risks.

  • Confidentiality: Use encryption and access controls to ensure that only authorized personnel can access sensitive data. Regular audits to track who accesses what information and when.
  • Integrity: Implement integrity checks and use technologies like blockchain to ensure that data hasn’t been altered. This way, you can trust that the patient records are accurate.
  • Availability: Set up redundant systems and regular backups. If one system fails, another takes over seamlessly. Regular backups ensure that even if data is accidentally deleted, it can be quickly restored.

A Close Call
Jane knows that cybersecurity is not just about technology or assets, but about people and processes.
Cybersecurity is not just about responding to emergencies; it’s about preventing them.
You need to get a cloud security engineer today.

REFER JANE TO YOUR ORGANIZATION!

Still doubting?


Why Every Organization Needs a Cloud Security Engineer
This incident at ALPHA Health Group is a powerful reminder for all organizations about the importance of cybersecurity.
Here’s why you should consider hiring a cloud security engineer:

  • Peace of Mind: Knowing that your data is secure allows you to focus on your core business activities without constantly worrying about cyber threats.
  • Prevention of Data Loss: A cloud security engineer can set up regular backups and redundant systems to ensure data is never lost.
  • Protection Against Threats: With the rise of cyber-attacks, having someone who understands how to protect your data is crucial. They can implement advanced security measures to keep your information safe.
  • Compliance with Regulations: Many industries have strict regulations regarding data security. A cloud security engineer can ensure your organization complies, avoiding hefty fines and legal issues.

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