Cybersecurity in Healthcare: Why Specialised Expertise Matter

When the North West London Integrated Care System (ICS) needed a robust and forward-thinking cybersecurity strategy, they partnered with tmc3 to ensure the safety of patient data, continuity of NHS operations, and compliance with an evolving regulatory landscape.

The ICS faced unique challenges, high operational pressures, a complex care environment, supply chain vulnerabilities, emerging technologies, and a stretched workforce. They also needed to align with the NHS Cyber Security Strategy, NIS2, and the updated CAF-Aligned Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT v7) adding a layer of urgency and complexity.

Why Healthcare Cybersecurity Is Different

Cybersecurity in healthcare isn't just about protecting information, it's about protecting lives. Real-time access to accurate, secure data is vital for patient safety. Disruptions caused by cyber incidents can delay critical care and put patients at serious risk.

Healthcare organisations also face:

• Complex Operational Environments: From hospitals and clinics to home care and digital services, the healthcare ecosystem is vast and interconnected.
• High Stakes: Downtime impacts not just data access, but critical patient services and emergency procedures.
• Unique Regulatory Pressures: Compliance with NHS frameworks, DSPT, NIS2, and other regulations demands sector-specific expertise.
• Technology Integration: The rapid adoption of digital health tools and interconnected devices within the NHS expands the attack surface.
• Workforce Limitations: A stretched NHS workforce often lacks the dedicated security resources of other industries.

A one size fits all cybersecurity approach simply doesn’t work in this complex environment. That’s why North West London ICS needed a strategy that was purpose-built for the realities of healthcare.

A Tailored, Sector-Specific Approach

tmc3 brought healthcare sector expertise to the partnership. Rather than offering a generic cybersecurity solution, we co-developed a tailored strategy through collaborative workshops with key ICS stakeholders. The result was a practical and comprehensive approach that delivered across three critical goals:

1. Strengthen Cybersecurity Posture
2. Ensure Regulatory Compliance
3. Build a Sustainable Culture of Security Awareness

Key Deliverables

Gap Analysis Tool

We created a bespoke tool to assess the ICS's current cybersecurity maturity and to pinpoint areas needing improvement.

Actionable Roadmaps

Prioritised, practical steps were laid out to guide the ICS in addressing high-risk areas across their ecosystem.

Risk Management Framework

We implemented a strategic, ICS-wide framework to manage cybersecurity risks proactively and consistently.

Collaborative Engagement

Workshops and direct consultation ensured that the final strategy was shaped by, and tailored to, the needs of the ICS.

Driving Real-World Impact

The outcomes of our partnership are already making a difference:

• Improved Compliance: Adoption of the CAF -aligned DSPT and alignment with national frameworks.
• Stronger Resilience: Better threat detection and response through consistent risk management.
• Increased Staff Awareness: A cybersecurity-focused culture that reduces human error.
• Smarter Resource Allocation: Enabling the ICS to better prioritise limited resources for maximum impact.
  
  

Leading the Way in NHS Cybersecurity

By aligning resilience and compliance with real-world operational needs, the North West London ICS is now positioned as a leader in cybersecurity for integrated care systems.

At tmc3, we believe healthcare cybersecurity must go beyond compliance checkboxes, it must empower organisations to deliver safe, uninterrupted patient care. That’s the difference of working with a partner who understands healthcare.

We will be attending the Healthcare Strategy Forum : 28^th – 30th April
We’ll be attending the Healthcare Forum later this month to discuss healthcare specific cybersecurity issues, innovation and resilience with sector leaders.

Applications to attend are now closed, if you didn’t manage to secure a place and would still like to connect with our experts to explore how your organisation can improve its cybersecurity posture, we are offering a free initial consultation to discuss how tmc3 can support your organisation.