HealthCareCAN and CIO Strategy Council Partner to Develop Standards to Support Healthcare Cyber Resiliency in Canada

February 14, 2022 (Ottawa)– HealthCareCAN and the CIO Strategy Council are collaborating to launch a new project that will develop a new set of standards to support cyber resiliency in Canada’s healthcare system and help address growing cybersecurity threats in the healthcare field.

Development of the new standard will be informed by expert input and guidance from healthcare Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and Chief Information and Security Officers (CISOs) from Canada’s five regions. Input and discussion will occur through two virtual focus group sessions to be held March 9-10, 2022 and will provide healthcare perspective on cybersecurity issues and challenges.

“It is no secret that Canadian healthcare and health research institutions have proven to be popular targets for cyber attacks and the frequency of these events is only increasing, which brings an increased risk to patient care,” said Paul-Émile Cloutier, President & CEO of HealthCareCAN. “The support from Public Safety Canada’s Cyber Security Cooperation Program to pursue this important project with the CIO Strategy Council will help Canada’s health system meet growing and changing security needs.”

The CIO Strategy council will refine the guidance from the input received during the facilitated focus groups to develop a detailed report to enable standards development and progress review. Once complete, the CIO Strategy Council will develop the National Standard of Canada with their technical committee on cybersecurity, accredited by the Standards Council of Canada.

Once developed, the new Standard will proceed to a six-month validation period beginning in December 2022 to ensure detailed review and input can be provided.

“Enhancing cyber security readiness and digital resiliency in healthcare will not only serve to protect highly sensitive personal information, but will inoculate against devastating impacts on patient outcomes.” said Keith Jansa, Executive Director of the CIO Strategy Council. “Improving the cyber security of critical infrastructure in Canada requires careful planning and execution with trusted partners to be successful. The CIO Strategy Council 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.”

Interested healthcare CIOs and CSIOs are encouraged to register for the focus groups.

The CIO Strategy Councill provides a forum for Canada’s most forward-thinking Chief Information Officers and Executive Technology Leaders to focus on collectively transforming, shaping, and influencing the Canadian information and technology ecosystem.

HealthCareCAN is the national voice of healthcare organizations and hospitals across Canada. We foster informed and continuous, results-oriented discovery and innovation across the continuum of healthcare. 

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For more information: Steve Wharry, Director Communications and Member Services, HealthCareCAN
swharry@healthcarecan.ca
613-761-8400 (cell)

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