Security in the medical industry can be difficult to manage, especially in both research centers and pharmaceutical centers where masses of classified data and potentially dangerous materials are accessed daily. Fortunately, advances in technology have allowed for more significant security measures to be put in place. Yet an entryway is the first point of contact for those wishing to enter either a research or pharmaceutical center, meaning attention should be paid to how security can be improved there.

Security in Research Centers

Not only is security important in medical research centers to protect staff, but it also plays a substantial role in protecting the center's data and contents.

Research centers contain masses amounts of data with much of it highly classified and not available to the general public. Various research products are also likely to contain large amounts of personal data of those involved in the project, from the patients involved in the test to those conducting the research themselves. As such, the issue of security from a GDPR view is also a consideration.

Security for research centers, from both a physical and cybersecurity perspective, is therefore essential. While cyber-attacks are on the rise, the knee jerk reaction for many in the medical research field is to solely focus on cybersecurity. While it should form a part of your security plan, it should be combined with effective physical security measures to ensure you are protected from both types of potential attacks.

Theft or diversion of sensitive data or materials is not solely a cybersecurity issue. Research centers still run the risk of losing their research, leading to potentially falling behind on years of work. What's more, many research centers rarely work independently. Losing valuable data or resources can then have a knock-on effect on other research centers who work collaboratively with one that suffers a security incident. 

Security & Security Solutions in Pharmaceutical Companies

But what of pharmaceutical companies? With a market worth approximately $934.8 billion, it's big business - which also means it's a big target.

Alongside the risk of theft and diversion, pharmaceutical companies face additional issues due to the nature of business. These include the risk of release of potentially dangerous chemicals or materials, which could have adverse consequences on public health, as well as an impact on the government to deliver essential health services should important pharmaceutical medicines and materials become unavailable. 

Much like with research centers, the risk entails both a physical and cybersecurity aspect, where while cybercriminals are drawn to the possibility of stealing valuable intellectual property, the risk of criminals physically entering the building to steal goods or data is still very much a threat to an industry that relies heavily both on protecting its bottom line and reputation.

From a cybersecurity perspective, pharmaceutical companies should work to encrypt valuable data, as well as ensuring all staff are equipped with both strong and encrypted passwords to minimise the risk of cybercriminals gaining access to them. When it comes to physical security, pharmaceutical companies should work to enforce high levels of security through access control systems to better regulate and manage the flow of people entering and exiting the building.