With the increasing digitalization of the healthcare sector, cybersecurity has become a strategic priority. Electronic health records, remote monitoring systems, artificial intelligence, and telemedicine improve the efficiency and accessibility of care, but at the same time expose the system to new risks: cyberattacks, privacy breaches, and disruptions of critical infrastructure.
Protecting healthcare data means safeguarding not only personal information but also the fundamental right to health. Clinical data are among the most sensitive of all: their loss, alteration, or improper disclosure can compromise diagnoses, treatments, and the trust between patients and the healthcare system.
Cybersecurity in healthcare requires an integrated and multidisciplinary approach, combining technological, legal, organizational, and ethical competencies. It is essential to build robust data governance, implement resilient and up-to-date systems, establish incident response plans, and raise awareness among all system actors — from top management to clinical staff — about the correct and secure use of technology.
Training plays a key role in this process: healthcare professionals must be prepared to act responsibly in the digital world as well. This means acquiring specific skills in information security management, device protection, and the adoption of conscious behaviors. The Master’s programs in Healthcare at the University of Parma address these new challenges by offering an updated educational model that integrates technological innovation with ethical responsibility.
Because taking care of health today also means defending the digital security of systems and individuals. In an age where data is an integral part of the care relationship, investing in cybersecurity means investing in the quality, integrity, and sustainability of the healthcare system.