NHS staff are being given support and advice to improve cyber security across the system. The Keep I.T. Confidential campaign aims to educate staff across the NHS on the direct impact of data and cyber security on patient safety and care.
The campaign has been developed to improve knowledge of data and cyber security practices which can be adopted in everyday work, and to embed a culture of cyber security throughout the NHS.
The campaign materials have been designed to support NHS Trusts and other health care organisations to run their own cyber security campaigns in a way that suits them and their organisations locally.
Keep I.T. Confidential reinforces the message that data security is an extension of patient confidentiality and good patient care. It highlights key cyber security threats and the actions that staff can take to mitigate risk in these areas including:
- Weak passwords and password theft
- Phishing scams and emails
- Tailgaters at NHS sites
- Unlocked screens and devices
- Social engineering to manipulate people into divulging confidential or personal information
The Campaign has been launched by NHS Digital’s Data Security Centre (DSC) to support health and care organisations to use data and technology safely and securely to deliver improved patient care.
The DSC provides a range of specialist services that help health and care organisations manage cyber risk and recover in the event of an incident.
Rob Shaw, deputy chief executive of NHS Digital, said: “Cyber security is the responsibility of all NHS staff and we want to inspire a cultural change by supporting health and care organisations to embed it in their daily best practice.
“To do this, we need to support all NHS staff on the direct impact of data security on patient care, and the steps they can take personally to reduce this threat.
“We know how busy NHS staff are so we are helping them to understand the importance of data security and how it can impact on and benefit their working lives, including patient care.
“NHS organisations are vast and diverse so Keep I.T. Confidential can be tailored to suit the individual needs of health and care providers and their staff.”
For more information visit www.keepitconfidential.nhs.uk
