Government responds about cyber security and data

The government has made plans to strengthen the NHS and social care organisations against cyber attacks and protect patient data.

The government, as part of its response to reviews and consultation feedback on cyber issues, has announced that investment in data and cyber security will be boosted above £50 million, and will include a new £21 million capital fund for major trauma centres.

Its response, Your Data: Better Security, Better Choice, Better Care, comes after National Data Guardian’s Review of data security, consent and opt-outs, a public consultation of that review and the Care Quality Commission’s review Safe Data, Safe Care.

It states that the government accepts the recommendations made in both the reviews. It also announces plans to give patients and the public more access to and control over their personal data, build confidence in the importance of secure data and support research and planning across the health system.

Lord O’Shaughnessy, Health Minister, said: “The NHS has a long history of safeguarding confidential data, but with the growing threat of cyber-attacks including the WannaCry ransomware attack in May, this government has acted to protect information across the NHS.

“Only by leading cultural change and backing organisations to drive up security standards across the health and social care system can we build the resilience the NHS needs in the face of a global threat.”