The UK government has announced a new national service providing expert cybersecurity advice to entities within the National Health Service (NHS) and the UK’s broader healthcare system.  The project, called CareCERT (Care Computing Emergency Response Team), is aiming for a full go-live in January 2016. 

Acording to recent press releases, CareCERT will:

  • “Provide incident response expertise for the management of cyber security incidents and threats across health and care system”;
  • “Broadcast potential cyber threats and necessary actions to take across the sector, to ensure cyber threats are safely dealt with”;
  • “Be a central source of security intelligence for health and care by working with cross government monitoring partners such as GovCertUK and CERT-UK”;
  • “Support the analysis of emerging and future threats through unique analysis tools and reporting”; and
  • “Be a trusted source of security best practice and guidance”.

CareCERT will be run by the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC).  The HSCIC is an important offshoot of the UK Department of Health, overseeing information assurance and patient privacy within the NHS as part of its broader role in setting health IT standards, assisting IT rollout throughout the NHS, and managing the release of healthcare statistics for the NHS.

CareCERT is expected to be a natural evolution of HSCIC’s existing function and expertise.  In particular, under the HSCIC/Department of Health’s data breach reporting policy (imposed on NHS bodies and their suppliers through contract), HSCIC is already one of the bodies notified and involved in the event of serious data breaches in the public healthcare sector.  The creation of CareCERT will enhance the HSCIC’s incident response capabilities, and will give NHS suppliers an increased opportunity to engage with HSCIC proactively (for guidance and threat alerts), rather than only after serious incidents take place.

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Photo of Mark Young Mark Young

Mark Young, an experienced tech regulatory lawyer, advises major global companies on their most challenging data privacy compliance matters and investigations.

Mark also leads on EMEA cybersecurity matters at the firm. He advises on evolving cyber-related regulations, and helps clients respond to…

Mark Young, an experienced tech regulatory lawyer, advises major global companies on their most challenging data privacy compliance matters and investigations.

Mark also leads on EMEA cybersecurity matters at the firm. He advises on evolving cyber-related regulations, and helps clients respond to incidents, including personal data breaches, IP and trade secret theft, ransomware, insider threats, and state-sponsored attacks.

Mark has been recognized in Chambers UK for several years as “a trusted adviser – practical, results-oriented and an expert in the field;” “fast, thorough and responsive;” “extremely pragmatic in advice on risk;” and having “great insight into the regulators.”

Drawing on over 15 years of experience advising global companies on a variety of tech regulatory matters, Mark specializes in:

  • Advising on potential exposure under GDPR and international data privacy laws in relation to innovative products and services that involve cutting-edge technology (e.g., AI, biometric data, Internet-enabled devices, etc.).
  • Providing practical guidance on novel uses of personal data, responding to individuals exercising rights, and data transfers, including advising on Binding Corporate Rules (BCRs) and compliance challenges following Brexit and Schrems II.
    Helping clients respond to investigations by data protection regulators in the UK, EU and globally, and advising on potential follow-on litigation risks.
  • GDPR and international data privacy compliance for life sciences companies in relation to:
    clinical trials and pharmacovigilance;

    • digital health products and services; and
    • marketing programs.
    • International conflict of law issues relating to white collar investigations and data privacy compliance.
  • Cybersecurity issues, including:
    • best practices to protect business-critical information and comply with national and sector-specific regulation;
      preparing for and responding to cyber-based attacks and internal threats to networks and information, including training for board members;
    • supervising technical investigations; advising on PR, engagement with law enforcement and government agencies, notification obligations and other legal risks; and representing clients before regulators around the world; and
    • advising on emerging regulations, including during the legislative process.
  • Advising clients on risks and potential liabilities in relation to corporate transactions, especially involving companies that process significant volumes of personal data (e.g., in the adtech, digital identity/anti-fraud, and social network sectors.)
  • Providing strategic advice and advocacy on a range of EU technology law reform issues including data privacy, cybersecurity, ecommerce, eID and trust services, and software-related proposals.
  • Representing clients in connection with references to the Court of Justice of the EU.