Cybersecurity Strategies for Resource Constrained SMEs and Health Providers

• Author(s): Isabirye Edward Kezron
• Paper ID: 1706570
• Page: 1215-1224
• Published Date: 30-11-2024
• Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
• Publisher: IRE Journals
• e-ISSN: 2456-8880
• Volume/Issue: Volume 8 Issue 5 November-2024

Abstract

Cybersecurity risks are a growing concern for SMEs and especially healthcare organizations as they extend their dependence on information technologies and data management. Nevertheless, these organizations seldom have adequate finances and sufficient technical solutions for strong cybersecurity environments; still, they become the target of cyber threats (Smith et al., 2021). This paper aims to review specific solutions for cybersecurity issues targeting small organizations and healthcare centers; the paper focuses on effective but affordable solutions in terms of resources. This paper uses a synthesis of literature together with real-life illustrations from various and recent cybersecurity implementations in both sectors. Outcomes show that resource-limited organizations struggle with academic know-how, an absence of funding, and inadequate cybersecurity protocols (Jones & Patel, 2020). Best practices found in this study entail using open-source security solutions, encouraging the use of MFA, security awareness for employees, and public-private partnerships. Besides, risk-based frameworks – e.g. The NIST Cybersecurity Framework (National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2018) and zero-trust architecture are exhibited for their employability in shoestring contexts. Managers and analysts in healthcare sectors are at greater risk because of the kinds of data that they are expected to protect under HIPAA or GDPR; this requires a form of data and access control different from others (Johnson et al., 2019). On the other hand, SMEs need more adaptable and agile solutions that are concerned with endpoints and cloud services. The study also highlights cybersecurity literacy and education as integral components for both sectors and shows how achievable and cheap interventions can considerably lessen human error (Brown & Kim, 2021). This research fills the gap in knowledge by comparing the general cybersecurity strategies with the cybersecurity strategies targeting SMEs and health providers with an emphasis on feasible and affordable solutions. The strategies outlined should enable organizations of small budgets to achieve substantial levels of protection from continually emergent threats, but also affordable solutions must be based on strong, effective security practices. Further studies will examine the outcomes of ’these strategies after some time and the relevance of government subsidies for the supply of cybersecurity resources. To enhance the cybersecurity position of SMEs and health providers, the present work endeavors to offer effective frameworks and economic tools to deploy to improve the cybersecurity of the exposed segments of the future economy and protect elaborate and delicate data behind digital walls.

Keywords

SME cybersecurity strategies, Healthcare data protection, Affordable cyber defense, Healthcare cyber threats, SME open-source security tools, Data encryption healthcare, Small business cybersecurity, HIPAA cybersecurity rules, Zero Trust for SMEs, Ransomware protection SMEs

Citations

IRE Journals:
Isabirye Edward Kezron "Cybersecurity Strategies for Resource Constrained SMEs and Health Providers" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 8 Issue 5 2024 Page 1215-1224

IEEE:
Isabirye Edward Kezron "Cybersecurity Strategies for Resource Constrained SMEs and Health Providers" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 8(5)