Windows 11, Microsoft’s latest operating system, has recently introduced an update aimed at enhancing the protection of healthcare IT environments and safeguarding patient data from evolving cyber threats.
While contemporary firewalls, anti-malware tools, and threat monitoring solutions are adept at managing security challenges in the online realm, the constant evolution of threats demands continual innovation. Healthcare companies find themselves grappling with hackers who, despite robust security measures, can compromise well-protected environments for extended periods.
Windows 11 addresses this challenge through upgraded features, including BitLocker, Credential Guard, Config Lock, Hypervisor-Protected Code Integration, Microsoft Defender Smart Screen, Microsoft Pluton, and Smart App Control. These features collectively establish an additional security layer, enabling the isolation of suspicious applications and the lockdown of operational environments when malicious infections are detected, thereby providing a secure hardware and software environment for firms handling patient data. This, in turn, fortifies defenses against social engineering attacks.
Furthermore, the existing Windows Hello feature, previously available to business users, now contributes to the protection of patient data by scanning and encrypting the face or fingerprints of medical professionals.
Inclusivity is also a focus, with the introduction of “Tiny 11,” a Microsoft project designed to extend Windows 11 to smaller and less resourceful environments, especially those accustomed to the hardware-oriented Windows 10. This ensures that even less resourceful environments benefit from the robust security features tailored for healthcare settings.
For those eager to leverage these features, a Cyber Week deal offers Windows 11 Pro and Office Pro 2019 at a discounted price of $50, complete with a lifetime license.
In an additional update, users of AMD Graphics Cards troubled by a persistent bug can now find relief. The November 2023 security update from Microsoft has rolled out a fix for the bug that was causing issues with profile settings, providing a smoother experience for AMD Graphics Card users.