Remember the Death Star from Star Wars? Sci-fi fans would know that it was the perfect (fictional) space station but all it took was a tiny flaw that completely destroyed it and everything within!
Back on earth, vulnerabilities in the tech space are becoming increasingly common. In healthcare, cybersecurity is growing ever more complex with more varied and sophisticated risks emerging every day. It is a constant arms race of speed and defence to secure against potential threats.
Strengthening Singapore’s defences and safeguarding public healthcare data and information from misuse are among IHiS’ key priorities.
System Engineers - Healthcare’s Digital Warriors
From maintaining optimal performance of our physical hardware to ensuring Singapore’s healthcare organisations are always prepared to counter new security threats, our system engineers strive to be responsive, vigilant and pro-active.
One such engineer is Ishita.
The network security engineer shares, “Working at IHiS made me realise how big a role IT and my team play in the healthcare industry. Cybersecurity is a big challenge. We are entrusted with a critical task - to protect our organisation, public healthcare institutes (PHIs) and patient data from getting compromised by hackers who are getting smarter with each passing day.”
Today, having strong network security is vital, especially when the majority of work is conducted and stored online.
Like an airport where people travel in and out of the terminals, it is critical to have robust cybersecurity measures in place across all PHIs as well as swiftly detect methods to ensure any potential threat is identified, isolated and resolved to help safeguard patients and clinicians.
Ishita majored in Computer Engineering at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and is currently pursuing her Masters of Science in Management Technology from NUS as well. This technical background allows her to face and overcome the daily challenges she faces in this ever-evolving world of cybersecurity.
Security is everyone’s responsibility
On a daily basis, Ishita plays an important role in analysing data logs to help detect any possible intruders in the systems or databases. By monitoring and analysing these computer-generated records, Ishita can glean valuable information and identify patterns that might seem suspicious.
Such vigilance contributes directly to Singapore’s HealthTech industry by preventing, detecting, and responding to cybersecurity attacks. Protecting the data is key as healthcare teams require critical data throughout the entire healthcare journey to make informed decisions about treatment, from diagnosis to medications, which could make the difference when it comes to saving lives.
Ishita credits her ability to face such challenges to her mentors whom she had an opportunity to learn from during her two-year stint in the H-Cloud Security department. The collaborative and learning culture helped with a notable achievement - handling the Managed Security Services project with less than three years of experience!
However, her scope of work extends beyond just countering the threats posed by hackers. Ishita who serves the National Healthcare Group cluster says her interactions with colleagues in healthcare also involves educating them about cybersecurity.
“There are people who may not be very tech-savvy and are unaware of security incidents that happen every day to the largest of organisations that could lead to breaches and even bankruptcy. Having an awareness and being conscious of the issues involved are very important, it can be as simple as not clicking on random links or downloading questionable software. Security is everyone's responsibility,” she says.
With the various innovative systems in Singapore’s HealthTech such as the Outpatient Pharmacy Automation System (OPAS) and medical apps such as HealthHub, system engineers such as Ishita are critical to safeguarding the security and integrity of their processes.
Why HealthTech?
When asked about what inspired the Computer Engineering graduate to join the HealthTech industry, Ishita reveals that one of her favourite TV series is the US medical drama Grey’s Anatomy. “It is closely related to healthcare and the characters have so much passion in the work they do, going through 15-hour surgeries and overcoming various challenges. And they are happy to do it. At the end of the day, pouring all your effort into saving a life or making someone life’s better - that inspires me.”
“With my IT background, I can help society and contribute to improving healthcare,” she adds.
Ishita also enjoys working collaboratively with her teammates. “They are a fun and supportive bunch who are very passionate about their work!” she quips.
Beyond just completing projects, it is this strong sense of teaming that motivates her to be a great team player. “The smallest job I do makes it one less for my colleagues to worry about.” she says.
While being collaborative and resilient are core attributes to excel as a systems engineer, Ishita also believes in the need to be independent in your thinking and have a sense of individuality.
“I feel it’s important to be who you are. It’s important not to lose yourself in the crowd even at work and that can only happen if you stay true to yourself.”
Become The Next Defender Of HealthTech Today!
Ensuring the integrity of our hardware, maximising the potential of our software and safeguarding our cyberspace are key pillars that allow our healthcare sector to flourish consistently. Having all the technological advancements, equipment and skilled personnel will be in vain if the networks, systems and security are not secure.
Like Ishita, you too can contribute to the safety, security and advancement of Singapore’s healthcare future at IHiS.
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