Is Your Hospital at Security Risk? 5 Critical Vulnerabilities Exposed.

Healthcare facilities face increasingly serious security challenges in today's environment. According to The HIPAA Journal, healthcare data breaches have risen dramatically, with 725 breaches reported in 2023 affecting over 133 million records — the highest number ever recorded.

In 2024, this disturbing trend continued with an estimated 276 million healthcare records breached, including the largest healthcare data breach in history, affecting 190 million individuals through a ransomware attack at Change Healthcare. The HIPAA Journal's healthcare data breach statistics show healthcare organizations now experience 1.99 data breaches of 500+ records daily on average.

Beyond cyber threats, hospitals must address physical security vulnerabilities while remaining accessible healing environments. Regular physical security assessments are critical for regulatory compliance and creating a safe environment where patients can heal and healthcare professionals can work without concern.

At Forbel Alarms, this is where our experts come into play. We help healthcare facilities throughout Chicagoland and the Midwest develop robust security frameworks through comprehensive security assessments.

What Is a Hospital Security Assessment?

A hospital security assessment systematically evaluates a healthcare facility's vulnerabilities, existing security measures, and potential risks. Unlike standard security reviews, healthcare assessments must account for the unique operational requirements of medical environments, where 24/7 access is essential, patient privacy is legally mandated, and various controlled substances require stringent protection.

At Forbel, our approach emphasizes a holistic evaluation, considering technological solutions and human factors. By examining the entire security ecosystem, from access control systems to staff training protocols, we help healthcare facilities create comprehensive protection that doesn't impede critical medical operations.

The Rising Stakes: Why Hospital Security Matters Now

Healthcare facilities face an expanding array of security threats that make regular assessments more essential than ever:

• Workplace violence concerns: Healthcare workers face violence rates 4x higher than other industries, with emergency departments particularly vulnerable.
• Valuable asset protection: Medical equipment theft costs hospitals $4 billion annually, with portable devices being prime targets.
• Patient data vulnerability: Physical security breaches often compromise data, resulting in HIPAA violations and financial penalties.
• Regulatory compliance pressure: Facilities must navigate a complex web of standards while maintaining operational efficiency.
• Regional risk factors: Chicagoland healthcare facilities face unique urban security challenges requiring specialized protection strategies.

Key Components of a Hospital Security Assessment

A comprehensive hospital security assessment examines multiple layers of protection, including:

During the assessment, Forbel's security professionals evaluate each component individually and as part of the integrated security ecosystem. It’s a comprehensive approach that ensures that all vulnerabilities are identified, including those that might exist at the intersection of different security elements.

Hospital Security Assessment Process

Forbel's hospital security assessment follows a structured methodology designed to deliver actionable insights while minimizing disruption to healthcare operations. Here’s what you can expect throughout the process.

1. Initial Consultation and Goal Setting

The assessment begins with understanding your facility's specific concerns and objectives. We identify priority areas, discuss previous security incidents, review current systems and policies, define assessment scope, and document compliance requirements specific to your facility.

2. Comprehensive On-Site Evaluation

From there, our security professionals conduct a thorough on-site assessment through a physical walkthrough of all facility areas, evaluation of existing security systems, observation of staff practices, review of access control mechanisms, and evaluation of emergency response capabilities.

3. Documentation and Policy Review

Security isn’t only physical. We then examine your security framework beyond physical elements by analyzing written policies, reviewing incident reporting, evaluating staff training programs, assessing vendor management protocols, and examining regulatory compliance documentation.

4. Risk Analysis and Vulnerability Identification

Our experts analyze findings to identify key vulnerabilities. We prioritize security gaps, analyze threat patterns specific to your facility, identify compliance gaps, assess physical and procedural vulnerabilities, and document security system limitations.

5. Customized Recommendations and Action Plan

It’s time to put our findings into an action plan. We develop a detailed security improvement strategy with prioritized recommendations, technology upgrade suggestions, policy refinements, staff training recommendations, and an implementation roadmap with practical timelines.

Our team understands the importance of maintaining operations. Throughout this process, our security professionals work to minimize disruption to your facility's operations while providing ongoing consultation to support implementation of recommended improvements.

Common Security Gaps in Hospitals

Through our extensive experience conducting security assessments for healthcare facilities, we’ve identified several common security vulnerabilities:

• Access & surveillance challenges: Facilities struggle with tailgating, credential sharing, and emergency access loopholes. In contrast, surveillance systems often have poor camera placement, insufficient storage, and outdated equipment producing low-quality footage.
• Emergency response & human factors: Many facilities have inadequate emergency procedures, such as improperly positioned duress alarms and insufficient staff training. One-time training approaches, inadequate de-escalation preparation, and inconsistent incident reporting compound these technical gaps.
• System integration & documentation: Healthcare facilities often operate with a fragmented security infrastructure, where systems function in isolation. Documentation problems intensify this technical disconnect, including policies that don't address regulatory requirements and insufficient compliance records.

Smart Security Solutions for Healthcare Environments

Based on our extensive experience with healthcare facilities throughout Chicago and surrounding regions, our team at Forbel has developed a comprehensive approach to addressing hospital security vulnerabilities. Here’s how we can help.

Integrated Access Control Solutions

Modern healthcare facilities require sophisticated access management that balances security with operational efficiency. Solutions include multi-credential systems for sensitive areas, integration with HR databases for credential management, and comprehensive visitor management systems.

Our access control solutions use industry-leading technologies to create seamless access management while maintaining detailed activity logs for compliance.

Advanced Video Surveillance Implementation

Effective hospital surveillance requires high-resolution cameras with analytics capabilities in high-risk areas, strategic camera placement respecting patient privacy, and integration with access control to trigger recording based on specific events.

This is why Forbel partners with industry leaders like Axis Communications and Avigilon. We’re proud to deliver surveillance solutions that provide security intelligence and compliance documentation.

System Integration and Staff Training

Creating a unified security ecosystem significantly enhances protection, while human factors remain crucial to effective healthcare security. Our security system integration expertise ensures that discrete security components work together as a comprehensive protection framework.

Each healthcare facility faces unique challenges requiring tailored solutions. Through our comprehensive security assessment process, Forbel develops customized recommendations that address your specific vulnerabilities while respecting operational requirements and budgetary constraints.

Compliance and Regulatory Considerations

Healthcare facilities must address critical regulatory requirements:

• HIPAA security requirements: Physical safeguards for protected health information, with violations reaching $50,000 per incident.
• Joint commission standards: These are requirements for risk identification, mitigation actions, and monitoring. Learn more at Joint Commission Standards.
• DEA compliance: Strict physical security protocols for controlled substances. Details at DEA Compliance.
• State regulations: Illinois-specific requirements governing various aspects of healthcare security.

Forbel's assessment process evaluates compliance with applicable regulations, identifying gaps and recommending cost-effective, tailored solutions.

Your Hospital Security Matters: Let's Build It Together

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Don't wait for a security incident to expose vulnerabilities in your healthcare facility. A professional security assessment identifies risks, evaluates existing measures, and develops targeted improvement strategies while balancing protection with operational needs.

Forbel's experience with healthcare facilities throughout Chicagoland and the Midwest ensures your assessment will enhance protection, support regulatory compliance, and improve operational efficiency. We offer scalable, dependable, and cost-effective solutions for countless businesses. Are you ready to get started? Contact Forbel today to schedule your physical security assessment and create a safer healing environment for everyone in your care.