Cybersecurity in Healthcare: Reflections and Insights from the AHA Webinar

A couple of weeks ago, I had the honor of participating in a webinar co-hosted by CLEAR and the American Hospital Association (AHA). Moderated by John Riggi, AHA's National Advisor for Cybersecurity and Risk, the discussion brought together industry leaders to discuss one of healthcare's most pressing challenges: protecting sensitive patient data while streamlining access for patients and providers.

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Joining me were Judy Hatchett, Chief Information Security Officer at Surescripts, who oversees the security of one of the nation's largest healthcare data networks, and Dr. Patrick McGill, Chief Transformation Officer at Community Health Network, who drives innovation and security across over 200 sites of care.

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The insights shared during the webinar underscore both the urgency of today's cybersecurity threats and the impactful role that an identity solution like CLEAR can play in addressing them. As General Manager and Head of Healthcare, I'm proud to lead the charge in bringing this proven solution to the healthcare industry-and I'm excited to share some key insights from our discussion below.

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The Scope of the Problem: Cybersecurity Threats in Healthcare

The healthcare industry is facing an unprecedented wave of cyberattacks, and at the heart of this crisis is identity. The numbers are alarming: as John Riggi pointed out, ransomware attacks on healthcare organizations have skyrocketed 300% in recent years, with data theft climbing over 600%. In 2024 alone, the average healthcare breach cost a staggering $5 million.¹ What's even more concerning? The majority of these breaches are tied to human error - often due to vulnerabilities in how we manage identity.

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Attackers are getting more sophisticated by the day, employing tactics like phishing scams, social engineering, and even deepfake technology. As Judy Hatchett highlighted during the webinar, identity theft is a major concern, with 98% of fraudulent prescriptions linked to stolen identities. These trends highlight the urgent need for robust and secure identity verification in today's healthcare environment.

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Why Identity is Foundational

Identity verification isn't just another security measure - it's the foundation for protecting sensitive data and delivering efficient care. The problem is that many of the tools we rely on today, like passwords or even traditional Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), create a false sense of security. These methods typically verify a device, not the person behind it.

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At CLEAR, we've reimagined what identity verification can do. Our solution can leverage biometrics as a form of multi-factor authentication - going beyond simply verifying a password or device to ensure you are you. This level of certainty is critical for combating modern cyber threats while also making life easier for legitimate users, whether they're patients, providers, or visitors.

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Real-World Impact: Community Health Network's Journey

The value of advanced digital identity solutions lies in their ability to solve real-world challenges, as demonstrated by Community Health Network. Dr. Patrick McGill shared how his organization partnered with CLEAR to tackle some of their most pressing issues, starting with a pilot program for employee password resets. The results were immediate: with 90% adoption, the program significantly reduced help desk calls and freed up IT resources.

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But this pilot wasn't just about convenience - it was about enhancing security. As Dr. McGill explained, every password reset call is an opportunity for bad actors to exploit vulnerabilities. By replacing manual processes with CLEAR's biometric technology, Community Health Network eliminated thousands of calls per month and made their systems safer.

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Building on this success, Community Health Network is now expanding CLEAR's use to include patient password resets and visitor registration, streamlining workflows while maintaining the highest levels of security.

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Expanding the Vision: Beyond Cybersecurity

As our panel discussed, the potential applications of CLEAR's technology go far beyond cybersecurity. For example:

• Fraud Prevention at the Point of Care: By verifying patient identity during check-ins, CLEAR reduces the risk of fraud tied to false insurance claims or prescription misuse.
• Streamlining Clinical Workflows: Nurses and physicians can use CLEAR for secure yet easy access to medications or electronic health records, eliminating inefficiencies and improving care delivery.
• Enhancing Visitor Management: Frequent visitors, such as clergy or vendors, benefit from CLEAR's streamlined registration process, speeding up check-ins and strengthening security protocols.

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At CLEAR, we draw on 14 years of experience in highly regulated environments like airports to bring proven identity solutions to healthcare. Our technology integrates smoothly with other platforms, enabling organizations to implement secure, reusable identities across their operations.

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By replacing outdated systems with safe and seamless solutions, we can protect against cyber threats while creating more efficient experiences for everyone - across the entire healthcare ecosystem.

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Watch the full webinar recording or schedule a demo to explore how CLEAR can transform healthcare.^‍

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