It’s been reported that NHSmail has blocked 11 million cyber-attacks in the last three years, according to newly published figures from NHS Digital. Targeted more than 10,000 times a day, over 400 times an hour, NHSmail is a major line of defence in keeping the health service from being infiltrated.
NHSmail cyber power
The power of technology is clear on both sides. Hackers continue to innovate, try new methods and new code to access NHS infrastructure, whether the purpose is to disrupt or to steal data. The 11 million blocked attacks illustrate the scale of the problem for the NHS, and particularly the IT teams and software provider Microsoft.
The power of Microsoft’s technology to keep-up with ever-changing cyber threats is clear, and NHS IT teams are constantly required to keep their systems updated to minimise the risk.
BDS Solutions support many NHS trusts with the migration to NHSmail, as well as delivering IT services, ensuring that patches and updates are applied to protect vital systems. It is clear that NHSmail is doing an excellent job in a tough environment and the importance of staying one step ahead is only too apparent.
Cyber battle lines
Yet, as the NHS moves to a more digitalised set-up, the risk increases. Sensitive and personal patient data is more accessible, so the necessity for continuous protection remains high on the agenda.
Trusts are working hard to deliver their digitalised NHS goals safely with a clear strategy to identify cyber risks and potential weak spots.
NHSmail, alongside other software, does filter out a large number of suspicious emails, and then it is down to the individual user. With 1.2 million NHS workers, a large number of whom have an email account, training them to spot emails that could be cyber threats is a mammoth task.
For now, the software seems to be catching the majority of cyber threats and the NHS cyber strategy is clearly working.
But the NHS cannot sit back. Today might be a win for the NHS and its technology partners, but the battle does not stop here.