Cybersecurity in Healthcare

Follow in the path of former students who have embraced 230 years of teaching excellence. Driven by the promise of 'leading the world to better health', RSCI has been at the forefront of international healthcare education since our establishment in 1784, and we have a worldwide reputation for delivering excellent Undergraduate and Postgraduate health professions education.

RCSI's singular healthcare focus is evident through all our programmes, offering innovative, insight-rich and immersive development opportunities for both current and future leaders in healthcare.

This course will equip you with a comprehensive understanding of introduction to cybersecurity in healthcare. By the end of the course participants will be better able to:

• Analyse and articulate the ever-changing threat landscape unique to the healthcare industry.
• Create and execute targeted training programs to enhance cybersecurity awareness among clinical personnel.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of training initiatives in reducing security risks within clinical environments.
• Implement privacy management practices to safeguard sensitive healthcare information.
• Showcase proficiency in balancing data access needs with privacy considerations in healthcare.
• Interpret and comply with healthcare cybersecurity regulations and standards.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures ensuring compliance with pertinent privacy and security regulations.

• Week 1: In week one, participants will be able to explore cybersecurity in context and healthcare data and systems.
• Week 2: In week two, participants will be able to examine risk factors, cybercrime, and the impact of social media on cybersecurity.
• Week 3: In week three, participants will be able to delve into cybersecurity flaws and risks, the stages of a cyberattack, and practices for cyber hygiene and handling cyber threats.
• Week 4: In week four, participants will be able to focus on building a cybersecurity culture, leadership in cybersecurity, and the development of policies and procedures.
• Week 5: In the final week, you will reflect on your learning and develop a personal action plan, focusing on actionable and applicable changes tailored to your specific workplace and context.

This five-week course offers a dynamic blend of synchronous and self-paced learning activities, allowing you to study at a pace that suits your lifestyle. The course includes four weeks of teaching followed by a final week dedicated to completing your personal learning plan. Learning content is delivered primarily through interactive activities, discussions, self-directed study, and a 90-minute live session. If you're unable to attend the live session, don't worry – these webinars are recorded and accessible at any time for your convenience.

Continuous feedback and guidance will be provided throughout the module, helping you stay on track with weekly milestones and preparing you for your personal action plan.

We understand that online learning might be a new experience for some. Our virtual learning environment (VLE) is intuitive, accessible, and easy to navigate. A dedicated programme coordinator is available to assist with any technical difficulties or specific questions about learning online. At the start of the course, short orientation videos will introduce you to the platform and course format, ensuring a smooth and engaging learning experience.

Sarah Jane Kavanagh 

Sarah Jane is a qualified accountant with the CPA Australia, a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD) and has a Project Management Professional (PMP) designation from the Project Management Institute (PMI).

Sarah Jane is an innovative healthcare leader with over 16 years’ experience in financial management, strategy, organisational transformation and incident management. She graduated with a masters degree in Accounting and Finance from the Technological University of Dublin in 2007. She was a Senior Associate with PwC Dublin from 2007-2011.

In healthcare she was appointed as Mater Group Finance Manager, Brisbane, Australia in 2012-2016. She subsequently took up the position of Group Finance Manager at Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane in 2018. Sarah Jane has led significant transformational initiatives including a large group consolidation of Mater Brisbane Hospitals in 2013 and a SAP system implementation to 3,000 users at Metro North Hospital and Health Service. She acted as state advisor to Queensland Health in April 2020 following her successful delivery of a COVID-19 logistic response across Metro North and the greater Brisbane area.

Since 2020, Sarah Jane is a project consultant to St James’s Hospital, Dublin, which includes leading the implementation of a digital scanning system for medical devices. She also delivers business continuity and disaster recovery plans for the hospital.

Research interests and specialty, Organisational resilience and security readiness, leveraging artificial intelligence, Activity based funding as a transformational approach to financial accountability in healthcare.

Sarah Jane was invited by the Queensland Health to act as a State Advisor to 17 QH Hospital and Health Services on the implementation of their supply chain response for COVID-19. Sarah Jane was voted 1 of 20 nominees for a Staff Excellence Award from 17,000 staff for her demonstration of Metro North’s 'Values in Action' as a result of leading the delivery of an SAP system implementation to 3,000 end users in 2019.

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will receive a RCSI Completion Certificate. Achieving this Certificate and earning continuous professional development (CPD) points involves passing weekly MCQs, engaging in online discussions, and participating in reflective exercises, including the completion of a personal action plan. These components are designed to be flexible, allowing you to progress at your own pace while ensuring a comprehensive learning experience.

Although this course does not carry credits as per the European Credit Transfer System, it upholds rigorous quality assurance standards to provide an excellent educational experience. The course has been approved by the RCSI Professional Development and Practice Committee and is accredited for CPD points in line with the Irish Medical Council guidelines. Participants seeking recognition in other jurisdictions should verify the applicability of these CPD points as per their local requirements.

Note: RCSI accepts no obligation to refund any fee, or part thereof, in respect of a participant who chooses to withdraw from or does not complete a course.