Oldham IT firm warns Greater Manchester hospices of rising cyber threat to patient data

An Oldham based IT firm brought together regional tech and security leaders to help shield Greater Manchester's hospices from a surge in targeted cybercrime.

Foresight IT Services organised an educational summit at Moya Cole Hospice's new £20 million purpose-built palliative care unit in Heald Green recently.  

The event brought together Greater Manchester hospices and received support from the Northwest Cyber Resilience Centre (NWCRC) and global security firm Kaseya - to deliver digital defence training to hospice staff. 

The initiative comes amid a stark rise in threats to the third sector. According to the government's cyber security breaches survey, 30 per cent of UK charities fell victim to a cyberattack last year, with phishing accounting for 86 per cent of those breaches.  

Hospices are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals because they hold highly sensitive medical records, donor data and end-of-life wishes, but they often operate with severely restricted IT budgets. 

Craig Barratt, owner of Foresight IT Services, organised the event after identifying a critical vulnerability gap in how local healthcare charities manage data. 

He said: "Hospices give patients and families comfort and dignity at the most vulnerable point in their lives and protecting the data behind that care deserves board-level seriousness. 

"We organised this session not to talk about technology for its own sake, but to give these vital institutions the practical, right-sized tools they need today. 

"A family going through the hardest days of their lives should never have to worry about their loved one's records ending up on the dark web. That is why we brought this partnership together." 

The session provided staff from Greater Manchester hospices with hands-on breakout rooms to simulate cyber-attacks, alongside access to funded security support available over the next 12 months via the NWCRC. 

Emma Dixon, director of clinical & digital services at Moya Cole hospice, added: "As hospices become increasingly reliant on digital systems to support patient care, Cyber resilience is no longer just an IT issue, it is an organisational responsibility.  

"This event led by Foresight provided practical insight, expert guidance and valuable opportunities to learn alongside colleagues from across Greater Manchester.  

"We welcome initiatives that help the sector strengthen its ability to protect the information and services that patients and families depend upon."