NHS Cyber Security Governance Update - 1

Image by Pressfoto, from Freepik

NHS Cyber Security Governance Update

  • Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
  • Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor

The National Health Service (NHS) England, in collaboration with the National Data Guardian (NDG), has announced today a new cyber resilience framework for health and social care organisations. This framework aims to align NHS cyber security standards with those across other sectors.

This change, part of the Department of Health and Social Care’s 2023-2030 cyber security strategy , aims to bring health and care in line with cyber resilience standards used in other sectors.

Starting 2 September 2024, the NHS Data Security and Protection Toolkit will begin transitioning from the NDG’s 10 data security standards to the National Cyber Security Centre’s Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) as its core assessment framework.

The initial phase will affect a select group of large organisations, with others following gradually. The CAF-aligned DSPT is set to focus on achieving outcomes rather than simply passing security controls, allowing organizations to tailor their approach to their specific needs, as reported on the original statement.

This change comes in response to several high-profile cyberattacks that have disrupted NHS services.

One notable incident occurred in June 2024 when pathology provider Synnovis was hit by a cyberattack . The attack resulted in the postponement of thousands of patient appointments and operations across south east London as the company worked to rebuild its IT systems.

In March 2024, NHS Dumfries and Galloway fell victim to a ransomware attack . The attackers stole three terabytes of patient data and published it on the dark web. This incident prompted the health board to warn nearly 150,000 patients that their personal information may have been compromised.

In August 2024, another cyber incident affected a sub-contractor of a third-party supplier to several NHS Scotland boards. The attack resulted in the compromise of mobile numbers belonging to NHS staff .

These attacks highlight the increasing vulnerability of healthcare organizations to cyber threats. As the reliance on digital systems grows, it is imperative for these organizations to invest in robust cybersecurity measures to protect patient data and ensure the continuity of essential services.

Healthtech Startup Doccla Raises $46 Million to Expand in Europe - 2

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Healthtech Startup Doccla Raises $46 Million to Expand in Europe

  • Written by Andrea Miliani Former Tech News Expert
  • Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor

The UK-based healthtech startup Doccla recently raised £35m—$46 million—during a series B led by the European capital firm Lakestar. In the round, current and new investors joined and will now allow the startup to expand.

Doccla describes itself as a “Europe’s leading virtual hospital” and has developed a technology to help doctors manage patients remotely and for patients to easily access medical attention through an app.

“Doccla was founded to provide hospital-level care and support at home for multiple patient profiles across the acuity spectrum: enabling the early discharge of patients, as well as ensuring that for those with chronic care needs, hospital admission might be avoided in the first place,” said Martin Ratz, Doccla founder, to TechEU . “Technology-enabled virtual wards deliver great benefits for patients, who can recover at home, while freeing up resources for healthcare providers.”

According to TechEU, with the new investments, the company—based in London—will consolidate its presence in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and expand its services in France, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

As disclosed on its official website , Doccla already has a presence across more than 10 countries in the European Union, and monitors millions of users every month. According to the data features, they supervise 4 million patients a day.

“In less than five years Doccla has gone from a research project to establishing itself as the market leader in the UK. We are confident they will not just maintain that position but successfully launch in new markets, whilst diversifying their services,” said Oliver Heimes, Lakestar Partner and new Doccla board member, “Remote patient care delivers proven results and is ushering in new standards in the healthcare systems globally.”

Other UK-based tech startups have been developing new products and expanding across the world. London-based nutrition startup Zoe recently raised $15 million in a series B to expand to the United States.