HealthCareCAN and the Digital Governance Standards Institute (DGSI) are happy to announce the launch of the 60-day public review for a proposed national standard to support cyber resiliency in Canada’s healthcare system and help address growing cybersecurity threats in the healthcare field. The standard, being developed with support from the Public Safety Canada’s Cyber Security Cooperation Program, aims to specify minimum requirements for cyber security in healthcare organizations and support cyber resiliency of Canada’s Healthcare system.
Hospitals and healthcare organizations are particularly vulnerable to cyber attacks due to the sensitive and confidential nature of the information they hold. Cyber criminals often target healthcare organizations due to outdated processes, systems, technology and devices.
“HealthCareCAN is tremendously excited that the new proposed national standard to support cyber resiliency in Canada’s healthcare system and help address growing cybersecurity threats in the healthcare field is now proceeding to the public review stage. This standard has been informed by input from our member institutions from across the country to strengthen cybersecurity readiness in healthcare and better protect highly sensitive personal information and limit devastating impacts on patient outcomes.” said Paul-Émile Cloutier, President and CEO of HealthCareCAN
The implementation of the standard will help to improve cyber resiliency in the healthcare sector and ensure that patient data is protected from cyber threats. It is intended to guide healthcare organizations protect patient data using up to date workflows, hardware and software. The DGSI’s Technical Committee on Cybersecurity has drafted the First Edition of CAN/DGSI118: Cyber Resiliency in Healthcare. The standard is available for public review and comment until June 27th 2023 on the Digital Governance Standards Institute website.
The DGSI encourages all stakeholders to participate in the review process and provide their input to ensure that the final standard meets the needs of the healthcare industry and aligns with best practices in cyber resiliency.
Additionally, Darryl Kingston, Executive Director, Digital Governance Standards Institute said “If approved and adopted, this standard would represent a significant step towards not only strengthening and protecting highly sensitive personal information but also inoculate against devastating impacts on patient outcomes. Your input is valuable – we are asking for the public’s input on this standard and welcome discussions with all people who share an interest in building the trust of all Canadians in our healthcare processes. The Digital Governance Standards Institute is thrilled to be working with HealthCareCAN and Public Safety Canada on leading the development of robust cybersecurity standards for the delivery of healthcare services.
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Our standards development process is collaborative and open to all. If you are interested in contributing to the work of the technical committees on either of these statements, please get in touch through the join a committee page or contact Darryl Kingston.
For media inquiries:
Darryl Kingston
Executive Director
Digital Governance Standards Institute
darryl.kingston@dgc-cgn.org
About the Digital Governance Standards Institute
The Digital Governance Standards Institute develops digital technology governance standards fit for global use. The Institute works with experts, as well as national and global partners and the public to develop national standards that reduce risk to Canadians and Canadian organizations adopting and using innovative digital technologies in today’s digital economy. The Institute is an independent division of the Digital Governance Council. To learn more about the organization and its initiatives, visit www.dgc-cgn.org or contact info@dgc-cgn.org.
About HealthcareCareCAN
HealthCareCAN is the national voice of hospitals, healthcare and health research organizations in Canada. We foster informed and continuous, results-oriented discovery and innovation across the continuum of healthcare.