#USA #healthcare #Copenhagen #Zscaler #IGEL

IGEL and Zscaler Release New Healthcare Security Blueprints

In an era where the delivery of healthcare is increasingly decentralized, patients and healthcare organizations face unique challenges. Responding to this need, IGEL, a global software company, has collaborated with Zscaler to unveil innovative security models tailored for the healthcare sector. Presented at the HIMSS26 Europe event in Copenhagen, these models aim to reinforce the infrastructure of healthcare providers by ensuring the security of sensitive health information while supporting continuous care delivery.

Understanding the Need for Enhanced Security in Healthcare

As healthcare services evolve to become more distributed, the exposure of devices and systems increases, making healthcare organizations vulnerable to cyber threats. The collaboration between IGEL and Zscaler addresses these security challenges by combining IGEL’s secure endpoint operating system with Zscaler’s cloud-based security controls, providing an architectural blueprint that specifically targets the healthcare industry. This integrated approach aims to enhance resilience and safeguard Protected Health Information (PHI) amid ongoing shifts in how care is delivered.

The joint models focus on three critical use cases: secure access to isolated recovery environments during disruptive events, a standardized security model for distributed clinics, and secure remote access for healthcare providers working outside traditional hospital perimeters. By employing these strategies, healthcare organizations can implement Zero Trust architectural guidelines designed to minimize reliance on older VPN-centric access models.

Key Components of the New Security Models

1. Access Model for Isolated Recovery Environments

This model is developed to respond to high-impact scenarios such as destructive ransomware attacks. It aids organizations in restoring operations by establishing a secure endpoint state and allowing strictly controlled access to recovery systems. This approach supports IGEL's business continuity and disaster recovery efforts by enabling quick transitions of endpoints back to a trusted operational state.

2. Standardized Model for Distributed Clinics

Providing a replicable framework for outpatient clinics and diagnostic imaging centers, this model promotes the use of immutable endpoints along with access controls. It decreases dependence on local security devices and outdated VPN networks, ensuring a more streamlined approach to security.

3. Secure Remote Access for Healthcare Professionals

This aspect extends the same robust access controls to healthcare professionals operating remotely, ensuring consistent access policies across hospital, clinical, and home environments. This consistency is vital in maintaining the integrity of care delivery irrespective of the healthcare setting.

Hoping for a Brighter Future in Healthcare

Matthias Haas, the Chief Technology Officer at IGEL, highlighted the significance of integrating resilience and security as intertwined initiatives rather than treating them separately. He emphasized that these strategic plans empower healthcare organizations to effectively mitigate endpoint risks and uphold policy-based access, which is critical in times of uncertainty.

Frank Nydam, the Chief Executive of Health at Zscaler, echoed Haas's sentiments, remarking, "As the provision of healthcare expands beyond hospital walls, the attack surface broadens accordingly. Our collaboration with IGEL offers healthcare organizations a modern architecture that safeguards distributed endpoints while facilitating rapid, reliable access for care teams."

By combining endpoint integrity with cloud-based access policy enforcement, IGEL and Zscaler offer a simplified security architecture that reduces redundancy in tools and establishes a sustainable model for protecting clinical workflows and patient data.

Availability of the New Models

The healthcare security models developed by IGEL and Zscaler are now available. Organizations attending HIMSS26 Europe can learn more about the offerings from IGEL during the event in Copenhagen. This collaboration aims to pioneer a new era of healthcare security, one where the safety and well-being of patients remain at the forefront, even as care models evolve rapidly in a digital world.

For more insights and resources, further information is available from IGEL regarding their offerings in the healthcare sector, enhancing the current landscape of security in medical settings.