Cisco has shared five priority actions for healthcare organizations to strengthen security and maintain digital resilience. The guidance addresses unique vulnerabilities in the sector and aims to help UAE organizations maintain trust amid evolving technology.

As a digital-first nation, the UAE’s healthcare sector is embracing technologies such as electronic health records, telemedicine, and AI-driven diagnostics. This shift makes cybersecurity critical to safeguard patient data and maintain public confidence.

Globally, the healthcare industry remains a prime target for cyberattacks due to valuable patient data, outdated systems, and human vulnerabilities. Phishing remains the most common attack entry point, while weak passwords, shadow IT, and lack of awareness continue to pose risks.

The Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DoH) has set a benchmark through the Abu Dhabi Healthcare Information and Cyber Security Standard (ADHICS). Licensed providers must implement protections including multi-factor authentication, firewalls, encryption, and incident response planning.

Fady Younes, Managing Director for Cybersecurity at Cisco Middle East, Africa, Türkiye, Romania, and CIS, said, “Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue. It is core to patient services and digital resilience. Healthcare organizations must embed security into everyday operations while following strong regulatory frameworks. Cisco is committed to helping UAE institutions stay ahead of threats.”

Cisco recommends five actions to strengthen healthcare cybersecurity:

• Treat obsolete IT systems as a systemic risk. Legacy IT and medical devices increase vulnerabilities.
• Reimagine IT spending models. Hospitals must adopt flexible CapEx and OpEx allocations to support cybersecurity solutions.
• Elevate cybersecurity training. Mandatory training ensures staff can respond effectively during attacks.
• Encourage resource sharing and regional collaboration. Hospitals can share systems, threat intelligence, and joint plans to reduce costs and risks.
• Secure electronic health records (EHRs). Robust access controls, encryption, and interoperability standards are essential to protect patient data.

Cisco emphasized that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility between government, regulators, healthcare providers, and technology partners. Addressing legacy vulnerabilities, building collaboration, and embedding a security culture can help the UAE deliver a safe and resilient healthcare ecosystem.

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