How to Protect Sensitive Patient Data Using Microsoft Advanced Threat Protection
Healthcare providers have a lot on their plates — managing patient care, keeping up with compliance requirements, and ensuring sensitive data stays protected. In the thick of all that, cybersecurity can sometimes take a back seat. But with cybercriminals increasingly targeting healthcare organisations, it’s never been more important to lock down your systems.
At Gray Area Consulting, we often get asked: how can clinics and practices use tools they already have to better protect patient information? One of our go-to answers is Microsoft 365 — specifically, Microsoft Advanced Threat Protection (ATP). If your organisation is already using Microsoft 365, you’ve got a powerful set of tools at your fingertips that can help you stay ahead of the threats.
Why Healthcare Data Is a Prime Target
Healthcare records contain some of the most valuable personal information out there — Medicare numbers, addresses, medical histories, and payment details. That makes them prime targets for hackers. Once stolen, this information can be sold on the dark web or used in identity theft scams. The consequences for patients and your practice can be devastating.
Just last year, a small clinic in regional Queensland experienced a ransomware attack that shut down their systems for nearly a week. Appointments were cancelled, staff had to revert to pen and paper, and the recovery process took months. The worst part? It was preventable.
What Is Microsoft Advanced Threat Protection (ATP)?
Microsoft ATP is a suite of security features built into Microsoft 365 that helps detect, prevent, and respond to sophisticated cyber threats. It combines AI, machine learning, and threat intelligence to protect users across email, files, and collaboration tools like Teams and SharePoint. For healthcare providers, this means an extra layer of defence without needing to bolt on expensive third-party solutions.
Key Features That Help Safeguard Patient Data
- Safe Attachments: Scans email attachments in real-time to detect malicious content before it hits your inbox. If a dodgy file is found, it’s blocked or quarantined automatically.
- Safe Links: Rewrites and scans URLs in emails and documents to block access to phishing sites. If someone clicks a link to a harmful website, they’re redirected to a warning page instead.
- Attack Simulator: Allows you to run realistic phishing and password attack simulations to test how well your staff respond to threats — a great tool for training.
- Threat Tracker: Gives you real-time insights into emerging threats and how they might impact your network.
Putting ATP to Work in a Healthcare Environment
Let’s say a receptionist receives an email claiming to be from a medical supplier, asking them to confirm a recent invoice. The email looks legit, but the link leads to a fake login page designed to steal credentials. With Safe Links enabled, ATP scans the link and blocks access before any harm is done.
Or imagine a nurse opens a document sent by a new patient. Unknown to them, the file is laced with malware. With Safe Attachments, the file is scanned in a secure Microsoft environment and flagged as malicious, preventing it from opening in the first place.
Pairing ATP with Other Essentials
While ATP is a powerful tool, it works best as part of a broader cybersecurity strategy. We recommend combining it with:
- Zero Trust principles to ensure every access request is verified
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all staff, especially those handling patient records
- Regular employee training to reduce human error
- A solid backup and disaster recovery plan in case things go pear-shaped
How to Get Started
If you’re already using Microsoft 365 Business Premium or Microsoft 365 E5, ATP is built in. You just need to configure the settings properly. Not sure where to begin? That’s where we come in. At Gray Area Consulting, we help healthcare providers across Australia set up ATP, train their teams, and build out a strong cyber defence posture.
And if you’re not yet on Microsoft 365 or you’re unsure which plan is right for your clinic, check out our post on Microsoft 365 vs Google Workspace for a side-by-side comparison.
Final Thoughts
Protecting patient data doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With Microsoft Advanced Threat Protection, you’ve got a smart, automated way to reduce risk and stay compliant — all within the tools you’re already using. If you’d like tailored advice for your practice, get in touch with our team today. We’re always happy to help.
