April 18th 2023
Better Security, Better Care has produced a new video to raise awareness of the impact of cyber attacks on adult social care providers.
The video, which has been launched to coincide with the National Cyber Security Centre’s major conference – CyberUK, looks at the most common cyber attacks that affect social care providers, their impact and how to reduce the risk and impact of a successful attack.
Everyone working in and with the care sector is encouraged to use and share the video.
It features Katie Thorn, Project Manager of Digital Social Care, Dr Jane Townson, Chief Executive Officer of the Homecare Association, Ethan Gray, Cyber Security Policy Manager at the Department of Health and Social Care, and Daniel Casson, Digital Transformation Advisor for Care England.
Reflecting on the implications for care providers, Dr Jane Townson of the Homecare Association says:
“Cyber attacks may put you out of business if you don’t take them seriously. It’s a very real and present danger and everyone needs to be very alert and be prepared.”
Katie Thorn of Digital Social Care and the Better Security, Better Care programme advises:
“In order to reduce the impact of a cyber attack, the most important thing that i would say is staff training.
“I really recommend that all care providers to complete the Data Security and Protection Toolkit… It acts as a checklist of all of the things that you should be doing.”
Daniel Casson of Care England encourages care providers to go digital – and go safely with support:
“There is so much benefit to care providers and to people using care from using new technology. We have to understand that when we are generating data, we have to use that data responsibly. There is support on this issue, so I don’t want to put people off using technology. I want people to say ‘There’s a richness we can create around the story of the person by knowing their data’.
“For any care providers who are thinking about using new technology, I say try it! Don’t be afraid. There are people who can help you on the journey, but technology can really change peoples lives.”
The Better Security, Better Care programme provides free, expert advice on using the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) to check and improve data protection and cyber security arrangements. The DSPT should be completed at least once a year – and the deadline for 2022/23 is 30 June 2023.
Digital Social Care provides guidance on cyber security, and information on training.
View the film below, or on our Cyber Security Guidance pages.
Follow the discussions on Twitter @DigiSocialCare #BetterSecurityBetterCare #CyberSecurityinSocialCare #CYBERUK23
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