Four Security KPIs Your IT Team Should Provide
Security metrics should make risk visible, not confusing. However, many healthcare organizations receive reports filled with technical data that lack clear meaning for leadership. As a result, executives struggle to understand whether security posture is improving or where action is needed.
To fix this, IT teams should focus on a small set of clear, actionable security KPIs. These indicators help leadership track risk, measure performance, and make informed decisions.
Below are four essential security KPIs every IT team should be providing to ensure healthcare organizations stay protected.
Phishing KPIs
Phishing attacks are one of the most common and dangerous cyber threats. These attacks trick individuals into providing sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card numbers, by pretending to be a trustworthy entity. A robust internal phishing campaign, where your IT staff pose as hackers by sending compelling but misleading emails to persuade your staff to disclose information, is critical to keeping your environment safe. The results of these campaigns need to be distilled into KPIs that measure how well your organization is defending against these attacks. Key metrics include the number of phishing attempts detected, the percentage of employees who fall for phishing simulations, and the time it takes to respond to a phishing attempt. By tracking these KPIs, you can identify areas where additional training or security measures are needed.
Exposure KPIs
Exposure KPIs focus on the real-time vulnerabilities and threats your organization faces from viruses, malware, and other cyber threats. These KPIs focus on organization-wide cyber risks (both internal and external). They utilize threat intelligence, vulnerability data, and attack surface insights to quantify the effectiveness of your security measures in mitigating these threats.
Secure Score
Secure Score is a comprehensive metric that evaluates the overall resilience of your organization’s devices and systems. Areas of focus include such things as identity protection, device security, app security, and data protection. It includes policies for encryption, password management, and other security measures managed through security configurations and compliance with best practices. Key metrics might include the percentage of devices with encryption enabled, the strength of passwords used across the organization, and compliance with security policies. A high Secure Score indicates that your organization is following best practices and is well protected against potential threats.
Patch KPIs
Keeping your systems patched is crucial for maintaining security. Patch KPIs measure how well your organization keeps up with software updates, not just for operating systems but for all applications. Key metrics include the percentage of systems with the latest patches installed, the time it takes to apply patches after they are released, and the number of vulnerabilities addressed by recent patches. Regularly monitoring these KPIs ensures that your systems are protected against known vulnerabilities and reduces the risk of a security breach.
Conclusion
Security is an ongoing process that requires constant vigilance and improvement. Scores can drop quickly if not monitored regularly, especially as new threats emerge. By tracking these basic security KPIs, you can ensure that your IT team is placing the proper focus on security and that your organization is well-protected against cyber threats. Remember, it is not just about having anti-virus software installed; it is about continuously monitoring and improving your security posture to stay ahead of potential threats.
About the Author
Patrick Kelly is the President and CEO of 4th Season Consulting. With over 20 years of experience in value-based medicine, population health, and care management, Patrick has led numerous successful initiatives in the healthcare industry. His expertise spans various roles, including CIO/CTO at Phytel, Loopback Analytics, and MPOWER Health, as well as Vice President of Information Systems at Catalyst Health Group.
About 4th Season Consulting
4th Season Consulting specializes in the unique needs of the healthcare industry by providing a wide range of consulting services including business intelligence, custom development, IT support, cloud infrastructure, HIPAA and compliance consulting, and digital marketing. The 4th Season Consulting team brings a depth of expertise tailored to the unique needs of healthcare providers, from solo practitioners to large organizations. All without contract minimums or long-term obligations.
