Understanding cyber risk in social care

Digital technology now underpins almost every aspect of social care. From electronic care planning and medication management to payroll, rostering and resident communications, providers rely on connected systems to deliver safe, efficient and compliant care.

However, as technology has become more integral to day-to-day operations, cyber criminals have increasingly targeted the sector. A successful cyber attack can disrupt care delivery, compromise sensitive personal data, damage an organisation's reputation and create significant financial and regulatory consequences.

For care leaders, cyber security is no longer solely an IT issue, it's a board-level business risk that requires strategic oversight and robust risk management.

To explore this growing challenge, Richard Lawson is joined by cyber security expert Neil Hare-Brown, CEO of STORM Guidance, and Jonathan Taylor, Divisional Director, Head of Corporate Risks, Howden in our latest podcast episode. Together, they discuss the evolving cyber threat landscape facing social care providers and share practical advice to help organisations improve their cyber resilience.

What you'll learn

Whether you're a care home owner, director, registered manager or part of a senior leadership team, this episode provides practical guidance that you can apply within your own organisation.

During the discussion, you'll discover:

• Why the social care sector has become an attractive target for cyber criminals.
• The most common threats facing providers today, including phishing, ransomware and data breaches.
• The operational, financial and regulatory impact a cyber incident can have on your organisation.
• How to build a stronger cyber security culture through leadership, staff awareness and effective governance.
• The importance of preparing for a cyber incident before it happens, including developing response plans and business continuity arrangements.
• How specialist cyber insurance supports organisations before, during and after an attack, helping providers recover quickly while minimising disruption.
• The practical steps every provider can take to strengthen cyber resilience, regardless of the size of their organisation.

Why cyber resilience matters

A cyber attack doesn't just affect technology, it affects people. Lost access to care records, disrupted communication systems or compromised personal data can have a direct impact on residents, staff and families.

As regulatory expectations continue to evolve and cyber threats become more sophisticated, providers need confidence that they have the right controls, processes and support in place. Developing cyber resilience means reducing the likelihood of an incident while ensuring your organisation can respond effectively should the worst happen.

Listen now

If you're responsible for managing risk, safeguarding your organisation or leading digital transformation within a care business, this episode is essential listening.

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