IT & Organizational Resiliency: Closing Preparedness Gaps
- Health systems are increasingly dependent on digital infrastructure, leaving many vulnerable to IT outages from cyberattacks or technical failures.
- Panelists highlighted disconnects between IT and business leadership, a lack of standardized downtime procedures, and difficulties engaging clinical and business leaders in continuity planning.
- The discussion focused on the evolving role of CIOs in guiding organizations through risk assessments, governance structures, preparedness, training, and simulations.
IT outages and cyber threats jeopardize health system operations. Read how IT leaders are stepping up to close crucial gaps in emergency preparedness and build organizational resilience. This News Directory 3 update details the evolving role of CIOs, emphasizing the importance of governance, training, and simulations.Understand the disconnects between IT and business leadership,and the need to prioritize operational resilience. Experts like Buddy Hickman and Nate Lesser share insights on bridging preparedness and operational gaps. Discover how health systems can proactively prepare for future disruptions. What governance strategies can ensure readiness?
IT’s Evolving Role in Strengthening Health System Resiliency
Updated June 16, 2025
Health systems are increasingly dependent on digital infrastructure, leaving many vulnerable to IT outages from cyberattacks or technical failures. A recent webinar convened IT executives to address critical gaps in emergency preparedness and the evolving role of IT leadership.
Panelists highlighted disconnects between IT and business leadership, a lack of standardized downtime procedures, and difficulties engaging clinical and business leaders in continuity planning. They emphasized that as ransomware threats increase, health systems must prioritize operational resilience alongside prevention.
The discussion focused on the evolving role of CIOs in guiding organizations through risk assessments, governance structures, preparedness, training, and simulations. The goal is to improve organizational resiliency and close preparedness gaps before major disruptions occur.
Buddy Hickman,chief digital and information officer at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center; Nate Lesser,VP/CISO at Children’s National Hospital; and Zahid Rathore,senior vice president at Healthlink Advisors,where among the speakers.
What’s next
Health systems should focus on governance strategies and practical approaches to bridge preparedness and operational gaps to ensure they are ready for future disruptions.