Imagine the consequences of potential cyberattacks if you leave your critical information astray on the many cloud platforms. Because cybersecurity incidents happen every day, what’s more alarming is that these occur because you do not secure your data to prevent it from being hacked. Data breaches and compliance issues are the worst that you can expect. Do keep in mind that every industry is at risk of data breaches, including healthcare.

This case study is just an instance to help you realise how protecting your data can help you save money, avoid legal penalties, and prevent reputational damage for your organisation. It also explains the role of VAPT (vulnerability assessment and penetration testing) in securing sensitive patient data, improving your ROI, and most importantly, guaranteeing compliance with relevant regulatory standards. Let’s get into the case study right away!

The Background

A group of budding tech professionals in the UAE – One Aim – to revolutionise healthcare by optimising its services. Embarking on this mission meant safeguarding critical health information and maintaining proper compliance standards. The fact that discrepancies in health data can be grave enough to cause irreversible medical complications and damage to reputation prompted these young tech minds to turn their idea into a humble startup.

This MedTech firm was born out of an intense brainstorming session with the ultimate aim of transforming healthcare. The aim was to build a Web and Mobile Applications that enabled people to consult and chat with physicians online. Having come this far into its successful inception and accreditation, this client owes it to our experts from Wattlecorp. Want to learn how? Read further

The Problem

We all know how crucial it is to safeguard data, especially in an age where cybersecurity incidents prevail and are constantly evolving.
When it comes to protecting confidential patient information on both web and mobile applications, the scene becomes quite complicated, isn’t it? Well, the concerned MedTech Startup faced similar challenges. Also, the risks involved in offering online medical consultation services were potentially high enough to include mismatched diagnoses and treatment.
On top of these, apprehensions surrounding technical issues, privacy risks, etc., were significant enough to prompt this MedTech firm to safeguard sensitive patient information and thereby retain its credibility. Medtech knew that ensuring data protection with operational-cum information security shouldn’t be taken lightly, as far as it concerned optimising patient care and safety.

It also knew that ignoring potential security vulnerabilities can prove disastrous. Hence, seeking the right security service provider was essential.
On its side, MedTech Startup has been carefully processing patient data, as well as storing it in appropriate folders and files to ensure strict confidentiality. However, the feeling that something was amiss in the stated efforts was a concern to this company. It got to the point of seeking external experts to check and ensure maximum security.

How MedTech Found Wattlecorp?

Founded in 2018, Wattlecorp’s mission has been to render expert-quality services in the realm of cybersecurity.
In the years of our experience in offering internationally recognised cybersecurity services, heeding to the concerns of MedTech was not something new to us as we had solved similar issues for our previous clients. After filtering through the research results for a perfect cybersecurity service provider, this MedTech firm finally came upon us. Equipped with extensive knowledge regarding VAPT assessment, our team dived into the task to come out with the below findings:

• Technical Issues within the infrastructure
• Security weaknesses with data processing
• Lack of formal  training for employees

All these issues required immediate attention. Notably, these findings confirmed MedTech’s fears. At the same time, it allowed us to go forth with our assessments and remaining tasks of strengthening its security posture.

Given the above, our team engaged in a step-wise VAPT analysis:

Offering a comprehensive analysis

This was to check the overall security posture of MedTech and included scanning the network, host systems, and scanning the wireless network. It also included checking application settings and reviewing their source code.
Key findings have been listed below:

• Poorly encrypted code
• Issues with authentication
• Inadequate access controls
• Improper input validation

Knowing what they needed to do to tackle these issues, our VAPT professionals conducted penetration testing to assess the security of critical patient data. Pen testing helped them prioritise those that required immediate attention and remediation.

Leveraging The Right Cybersecurity Tools

We utilised robust encryption protocols, such as AES-256 to protect critical patient information – both during storage and transit. We could ultimately ensure compliance through this approach. In our efforts to protect MedTech’s mobile and web applications from possible security threats, we also felt it proper to undertake the Application VAPT procedure. This involved a stepwise procedure to ensure mobile and web application security.

• Reconnaissance

Before we started with our VAPT procedure, we needed to properly analyse its scope and objectives. We also felt it better to gather detailed information about the applications. These included possible attack vectors, functionality, and infrastructure. 

• VAPT for Mobile and Web Applications

Carrying out a VAPT assessment for the mobile and web applications helped identify and understand the depth of the risks.  We did a manual analysis, also utilising automated tools to assess the application’s code and functionality. By identifying flaws within the application code, both static and running, prompted us to employ proper encryption techniques. The result was improved code quality, going on to ensure data protection in all its adequacy.

We also implemented multi-factor authentication (MFA) to prevent unauthorised access and manipulation of sensitive user information embedded within the application’s code. We also felt it appropriate to validate user inputs prior to applications processing the same. This proved effective in detecting suspicious activities. It also helped enhance code quality, and most importantly, prevent security vulnerabilities, say SQL injection.

We helped improve compliance for MedTech with relevant regulatory standards,like  ADHICS. (Abu Dhabi Healthcare Information and Cybersecurity Standard). MedTech achieved compliance and with Wattlecorp’s VAPT professionals. The company also successfully built a cybersecurity strategy to keep its environment safe from various threats.
To summarise, this MedTech’s partnership with Wattlecorp proved worthwhile in improving healthcare outcomes.

The Result

From vulnerability scanning to performing penetration testing, we were able to mitigate and prevent potential threats. This was done by prioritising and addressing risks based on their severity and impact. Also, by making prompt incident responses, Wattlecorp’s VAPT experts could meticulously avert significant threats.
Training sessions for MedTech’s employees also helped serve the importance of following security practices in all seriousness. Lastly, our VAPT assessment for MedTech resulted in improving its compliance, specifically in regards to meeting ADHICS. If you are one of those who work in the healthcare industry, are directly or indirectly involved in securing patient information, and are at a loss for ensuring data protection and compliance, confide in us and have your security issues resolved.