As new cyberattack techniques emerge and evolve, so too must strategies for protecting artificial intelligence systems in healthcare. And AI-driven cybersecurity efforts in hospitals and healthcare systems must keep pace.
According to Sunil Dadlani, Chief Information and Digital Officer at Atlantic Health System, CIOs, CISOs and other IT and security leaders must learn how to bridge the gap between AI security and cyber defense. That means leveraging their synergies to advance both areas.
Dadlani will describe techniques for leveraging this interdependence to create an innovative and resilient digital health landscape at the HIMSS AI in Healthcare Forum in Boston. His sessiontitled “Case Study: Dynamic Defense: The Interplay of AI Security and Cyber Threat Mitigation,” is scheduled for Thursday, September 5.
We recently interviewed Dadlani to get a sneak preview.
Q. What is the focus of your HIMSS AI in Healthcare Forum session and why is it important in healthcare today?
A. The focus of the session is on the critical need for secure AI systems in healthcare, as AI becomes an integral part of standard care and impacts all aspects of the sector. Ensuring the integrity, confidentiality and availability of AI technologies is paramount.
To enable safe, trustworthy, ethical and transparent implementation of AI, it is essential to develop robust AI systems that protect against vulnerabilities that could compromise patient data, clinical decisions and care operations.
Furthermore, the topic highlights the crucial role of AI in improving cybersecurity in healthcare. As the industry rapidly undergoes digital transformation, integrating AI and cybersecurity has become essential. AI improves security by enabling advanced threat detection and rapid response, identifying anomalies and potential breaches in real time.
Conversely, robust cybersecurity measures are critical to protect sensitive patient data and ensure the integrity of AI systems used in diagnostics, treatment planning, and administrative tasks. This synergy between AI and cybersecurity not only defends against advanced cyberthreats, but also ensures the safe and effective implementation of AI technologies in healthcare, leading to improved patient outcomes and operational efficiency.
Q. What’s an example of this kind of AI and cybersecurity in action at your organization?
A. An example of this is organizations leveraging the implementation of AI-based identity and access management (IAM) systems with advanced machine learning and intrusion detection and prevention systems based on deep neural networks.
This AI-driven systems enhance the security of our healthcare network by continuously analyzing user access patterns and behavior, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive patient data and critical systems.
Q. What are some key points you hope session participants will learn and can apply with their healthcare provider?
A. First, a comprehensive approach to AI security. Participants will learn the importance of taking a comprehensive approach to securing AI solutions in healthcare. This includes ensuring data security and privacy, implementing robust model development practices, and following secure deployment and integration processes.
By understanding these key aspects, participants can effectively protect sensitive patient data and maintain the integrity of their AI systems, leading to safer and more reliable healthcare operations.
And second, AI-driven defense versus attack in cybersecurity.
AI plays a dual role in cybersecurity, serving both defensive and offensive purposes. On the defensive side, AI enhances threat detection, response, and prevention by continuously monitoring network traffic and user behavior to identify anomalies in real time.
It automates incident response, quickly mitigates threats and minimizes damage. AI-driven predictive analytics anticipate potential threats and enable proactive measures.
But AI is also being used offensively by cybercriminals to launch sophisticated attacks. They use AI to automate phishing campaigns, develop advanced evasion techniques, improve social engineering attacks, and exploit vulnerabilities.
Understanding this dual role is critical to implementing proactive AI security measures, staying ahead of evolving threats, and continuously improving defense strategies to protect against advanced cyberattacks.
Attend this session at the HIMSS AI in Healthcare Forum taking place September 5-6 in Boston. More information and registration.
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