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Navigating the cybersecurity landscape in healthcare

By Jen Spencer, VP of Privacy and Compliance at NRC Health 

As we step into October, it’s time to spotlight an often-overlooked yet crucial topic: cybersecurity. While Cybersecurity Awareness Month may feel like a made-up holiday, it’s actually a vital reminder of the ongoing efforts required to protect our digital world, especially in healthcare.  

At NRC Health, we are proud to be a champion organization with the National Cybersecurity Alliance with an unwavering commitment to safeguarding sensitive information.

Why cybersecurity matters every day

Cybersecurity isn’t just a topic for October; it’s a year-round necessity. We live in a world where data breaches and cyber threats loom large, and the healthcare sector is no exception.  

With the responsibility of protecting health information under HIPAA regulations, our focus goes beyond compliance.  

It’s about embedding cybersecurity into our daily operations and personal lives, including using multi-factor authentication, strong passwords, and safeguards to recognize phishing scams.

Championing cybersecurity at NRC Health

At NRC Health, we’re more than participants—we’re champions in the cybersecurity movement. Our role as a champion is proactive, reinforcing our dedication to protecting the valuable data of our clients and associates.  

We take the lead by advocating for robust cybersecurity practices and engaging in collaborative efforts across the industry.

Integrating security with innovation

In an era where AI and advanced technologies are redefining healthcare, we must approach these innovations with a dual focus on security and safety.  

AI brings immense potential but also challenges, especially in ensuring transparency and ethical use. Our commitment to cybersecurity extends to these technologies, ensuring they are deployed safely and responsibly. 

NRC Health’s powerful, secure, private AI solution

Huey™ is AI’s first large language model (LLM) trained exclusively on data that matters to you.  

NRC Health ingests data, enriches it with internal knowledge bases, and tunes it for use in your organization. Your data stays secure, private, and only yours—and is never used to train global models. 

Huey is also built with a moral framework that ensures that the technology closely aligns with Human Understanding and societal values. Huey acknowledges and addresses bias, inequity, and hallucinations, both in the way it’s designed and how it’s used.  

During model builds, data curation, factual guardrails, and governance standards are embedded and then checked as LLM responses are generated. Within its UX, Huey also shares source material and asks users for validation to further garner trust. 

Empowering our community

Recognizing that cybersecurity is both a corporate responsibility and a community effort, we encourage you to embrace these practices both within your organization and at home.  

Being vigilant about phishing attempts is particularly crucial. The simplest human errors can lead to significant breaches—so “if you see something, say something.”

Looking ahead

As we navigate today’s rapid technological advancements, staying informed is key.  

At NRC Health, we’re continuously involved in research, advocacy, and education to keep up with these changes. Our goal is to create a culture where cybersecurity is second nature—a seamless part of daily life. 

But ultimately, cybersecurity is a shared mission. Let’s make a positive impact in healthcare by leading with innovation and safety at the forefront.

About NRC Health

For more than 40 years, NRC Health (NASDAQ: NRC) has led the charge to personalize healthcare and support organizations in their understanding of each unique individual. NRC Health’s commitment to Human Understanding® helps leading healthcare systems get to know each person they serve not as point-in-time insights, but as an ongoing relationship. Guided by its uniquely empathic heritage, NRC Health’s patient-focused approach, unmatched market research, and emphasis on consumer preferences are transforming the healthcare experience, creating strong outcomes for patients and entire healthcare systems. For more information, email info@nrchealth.com, or visit www.nrchealth.com.


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