Healthcare institutions are increasingly targeted by cyberattacks such as ransomware, phishing, and data breaches. The complex IT environments within medical research infrastructures, with their numerous entry points, are particularly vulnerable. The growing use of mobile devices and remote data collection further intensifies these vulnerabilities. As a result, regular and comprehensive cybersecurity assessments are essential. However, many institutions struggle with limited resources or expertise, making it challenging to conduct these assessments effectively.

In its second use case, SECANT evaluates cybersecurity and privacy within healthcare research infrastructures that rely on interconnected devices, delivering significant innovations in the field. The SECANT platform provides interoperability with a variety of devices, services, and standards, a crucial feature since many cybersecurity solutions struggle with legacy systems. In the healthcare domain, the importance of backward compatibility cannot be overstated, giving SECANT a competitive edge over other cybersecurity solutions. Moreover, the SECANT platform is designed for use by both research and industrial critical infrastructures, broadening its potential vertical applications.

The SECANT platform offers several key advantages to stakeholders:

Scalability: SECANT enables a high number of services and devices to be connected to the network without compromising performance. This scalability allows the solution to meet the complex requirements of various verticals, demonstrating its state-of-the-art functionalities in real-world environments.

Secure Reporting: SECANT provides secure reporting functionalities that can be used within an organisation or among specific groups, ensuring safe access to information. It also facilitates the secure transfer of data to external actors, enhancing collaboration while maintaining security.

Protection of Clinical Information: SECANT offers robust protection for clinical information, a critical aspect for healthcare personnel, research groups, participants, and patients. The safeguarding of this sensitive data underscores the platform’s added value, particularly in the healthcare ecosystem where data security is paramount.

SECANT (SECurity And privacy protectioN in Internet of Things devices), as an EU H2020 project, enhances digital security, privacy, and personal data protection within complex ICT infrastructures in healthcare sector. SECANT delivers a holistic framework for cybersecurity risk assessment, addresses both human and technical risk factors and bolsters the overall cybersecurity landscape.