Life Sciences & Health Meets Cybersecurity at Leiden Bio Science Park

On Friday 19 April, a Cyber Expedition is taking place at Leiden Bio Science Park to raise awareness of digital security within the Life Sciences & Health sector. Leiden University of Applied Sciences, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, and REQON have published a report on digital security in the Life Sciences & Health (LSH) sector. This research was initiated by Security Delta (HSD) and Stichting Leiden Bio Science Park and was financed by Metropole Region Rotterdam The Hague (MRDH). It was part of the MRDH programme initiated by HSD to help important sectors become more cyber-resilient.

The researchers conclude that the threat landscape for organisations in the LSH sector is similar to the critical sectors in the Netherlands but with an additional focus on corporate espionage and international exposure. The risk awareness of organisations in the LSH sector needs to be raised, and the impact of cyber incidents is underestimated.

The Ministry of Health has recently declared the Dutch healthcare system as part of the vital infrastructure, consequently enforcing legislation concerning digital security for healthcare. This includes the European Critical Entities Resilience Directive (CER) and the revised Network and Information Security2 Directive (NIS2). These laws aim to enhance the physical and digital resilience of the healthcare system.

Cyber expedition

There is an urgent need to increase cyber awareness within the Life, Sciences & Health sectors. Therefore, we must mobilize organisations to strengthen their cyber resilience, safeguarding their vital contributions against the constantly evolving cyber threat landscape. Recognising that cyber threats can disrupt both individual entities as the entire value chain, Security Delta (HSD) and Leiden Bio Science Park (LBSP) join forces to encourage entrepreneurs in the LSH sector to bolster their cyber resilience.

MedTech and pharma companies are invited to join the Cyber Expedition at Leiden Bio Science Park to raise awareness within the sector. It is an interactive tour where industry players explore the world of cybersecurity in the context of the Life Sciences & Health sector. While walking through the Leiden Science Bio Park, during this expedition, entrepreneurs delve into the covert strategies employed by cyber criminals and get practical tools to fortify their research and business operations against cyber threats. Through practical scenarios, the Cyber Expedition elucidates concepts such as security by design, advanced persistent threats, and safeguarding crown jewels. With newfound knowledge and practical tools, attendees will depart equipped to fortify their research and business operations against cyber threats.

Sign up for the expedition
If you’re interested in joining the Cyber Expedition (In Dutch) or know someone who wants to enhance their organisation's cybersecurity level, then sign up by sending an email to cyberexpeditie@securitydelta.nl.

This initiative represents a continuation of the sectoral approach of the Cyber Resilience Centre Greenport, launched in October 2022, aligning with our ambition to expand the sectoral cyber resilience approach to various sectors. This cyber expedition is supported by the MRDH programme Sectoraal Digitaal Veilig and Provincie Zuid-Holland in collaboration with Leiden Bio Science Park, InstincKt and Reneé Verdiesen.

Photo: Istock.com/metamorworks