Welcome to Speed Data: Quick Conversations With Cybersecurity Leaders. Like speed dating, our goal is to capture the hearts of CISOs with intriguing, unique insight in a rapid format for security professionals pressed for time.
This week, our guest is J.D. Whitlock, the Chief Information Officer at Dayton Children's Hospital. With a background in the military, healthcare administration, and IT, J.D. offers an in-depth perspective on the importance of cybersecurity in healthcare. Read on to learn how he minimizes the damage at his hospital when ransomware rears its ugly head.
The repercussions of ransomware
Healthcare is one of the most highly targeted sectors by ransomware, and the effects of an attack can be widespread and crippling. When not only critical data but also lives are at stake, security couldn’t be more important, said J.D. Whitlock, the Chief Information Officer for Dayton Children's Hospital.
“In healthcare, we are very concerned about ransomware attacks,” he said.
A ransomware attack that takes a hospital down for a period of weeks can result in significant interruptions to care.
J.D. Whitlock, Dayton Children's Hospital CIO
J.D. recognizes that no matter how much an organization prioritizes data security, it’s not a matter of if a breach will occur but when.
“In today's environment, you're never going to stop the bad guys from getting over that first wall with the sophistication of an attacker getting past MFA,” he said. “So, we are always doing everything we can to defend our environment and keep the bad guys out of the family jewels.”
A rewarding role
Though J.D. has been working in information technology for more than two decades, his path to CIO almost didn’t happen.
“I certainly didn't start out in information technology,” J.D. said. “I started as a naval officer, driving ships around for a while, then I got a master's in healthcare administration.”
“After a while, I got into the IT side of healthcare administration, and now, I’ve been doing it for 25 years.”
And though J.D. and his team don’t work directly with the injured or ill, their behind-the-scenes efforts help contribute to patient care.
In our field, you get the benefit of helping the caregivers take care of patients.
J.D. Whitlock, Dayton Children's Hospital CIO
“It's certainly a rewarding career in terms of being excited to come to work every day,” he said.
What should I do now?
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