Priya PatelTLDR:
- The pharmaceutical and biotech sectors suffer more breaches than any other industry, with 53% resulting from malicious activity.
- Robust controls and comprehensive cybersecurity strategies are essential to protect valuable data in the drug discovery process.
- Cloud computing and computer-aided drug design (CADD) have transformed how drug discovery projects are conducted, but a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy is necessary to mitigate risks.
- Continuous monitoring, user education, and innovative security systems are critical to secure data and protect against potential cyberattacks.
- Collaborative partnerships with contract research organizations (CROs) in drug discovery should prioritize security considerations and vet potential partners based on security measures.
- Companies need to stay proactive in their approach to cybersecurity as new technologies and threats continue to emerge in the drug discovery sector.
In the digital age, computational platforms are regularly used in the pharmaceutical industry for data processing, storage, and collaboration. However, these technological advancements also bring new threats, with the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors facing more breaches than any other industry. Many of these cyberattacks are ransomware, which can lead to significant disruptions and financial losses for organizations. To protect against potential cyberattacks, organizations in the drug discovery sector must have comprehensive cybersecurity strategies in place. Cloud computing and computer-aided drug design (CADD) have significantly transformed drug discovery projects, allowing for real-time data access and collaboration. However, decision-makers in the industry must prioritize cybersecurity to prevent falling behind due to risk aversion. A combination of robust IT infrastructure, continuous updates, user education, and vigilance can help maintain data security and mitigate risks. When collaborating with contract research organizations (CROs), companies must prioritize security considerations and vet potential partners based on their security measures, such as ISO certification. As the drug discovery sector continues to advance, organizations need to stay proactive in their approach to cybersecurity by conducting extensive research into the security levels of systems and technologies, implementing additional security measures, and constantly evaluating and updating their methods.
