ADHICS Compliance

Vox Populi Solutions and ADHICS Certification

At Vox Populi Solutions, we specialize in helping organizations in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai understand and achieve ADHICS certification. ADHICS, or Abu Dhabi Healthcare Information and Cyber Security Standard, is established by the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi to safeguard healthcare data and ensure compliance with global information security standards.

This certification is essential for ensuring that sensitive patient information remains secure, accurate, and accessible. Healthcare providers in Abu Dhabi must adhere to these standards and utilize the ‘Malaffi’ system. ADHICS also equips organizations to effectively manage system failures and counter cyber threats.

Our expert team is dedicated to guiding you through the entire certification process, from initial assessment to maintaining ongoing compliance, ensuring that your organization meets the highest standards in Dubai. Let us help you improve your data security and bolster your healthcare services.

ADHICS Requirements Explained

ADHICS has specific rules for handling patient data. Here’s what you need to know:

Data Storage

Patient data must be stored within the UAE. Healthcare services cannot use cloud services based outside the UAE for storing, sharing, or processing this data.

Data Sharing

You can only share patient data with partners or third parties if you have explicit permission from the Department of Health (DoH).

Asset Management

Guidelines cover how to label, classify, handle, and dispose of assets.

Access Control

Rules dictate how users, networks, equipment, and information should be accessed.

HR Security

Policies for hiring, managing, and terminating staff to ensure security.

Environmental and Physical Security

Measures to protect physical and environmental aspects of information security.

Operational Security

Policies for handling malware, backups, system monitoring, and vulnerability management.

Third-Party Security

Guidelines for managing and monitoring third-party security.

Health Information Systems

Rules for managing the supply chain, software, and cryptographic controls related to health information systems.

Incident Management

Procedures for managing and reporting security incidents.

Continuity Planning

Strategies to ensure information security is maintained even during disruptions.

Challenges in Complying with ADHICS

Complying with ADHICS presents several challenges for organizations in Dubai. One major issue is the dependence on outdated systems and procedures, which often lack the modern security features needed to handle current threats. This makes implementing best practices difficult. Another challenge is the fragmented ownership of security responsibilities, where different executives manage different aspects of security. This decentralized approach can lead to inconsistent security measures and complicate compliance. Integrating IT and OT environments is also challenging, especially when the process is poorly defined or unstructured. This problem is more pronounced in large organizations with many specialized healthcare facilities, making it hard to set up a unified security framework. Additionally, the tight timeframes for government inspections can further complicate efforts to prepare and demonstrate compliance.

Why Opt for ADHICS?

In the healthcare industry, timing is crucial. Disorganized and scattered information security controls can delay essential healthcare services. With today’s digital technologies and connected healthcare equipment, the risks of data leaks and phishing attacks are higher than ever. ADHICS provides a structured approach to managing information security, helping to prevent such issues and ensure a quick recovery if an attack occurs. By complying with ADHICS, you stay aligned with legal and regulatory requirements in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

ADHICS standards are compatible with any IT systems or platforms used by DOH-licensed healthcare institutions. They also integrate with government-controlled IT applications and third-party systems in the region, such as Malaffi, Shafafiya portal, Health Information Exchange platform, DoH e-Services, and the Medical Tourism portal, whether dealing with physical or digital data. Additionally, meeting ADHICS standards will be a requirement for renewing your healthcare license, as ADHICS is integrated into health facility and audit programs in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Our Services

ADHICS Gap Assessment

Our team reviews your current setup to find gaps based on the ADHICS standard.

Cyber Risk Assessment

We identify and evaluate all risks related to the security and privacy of healthcare data using the ADHICS framework.

Risk Treatment Plan

We create a plan to address and fix the identified risks and gaps to make sure they are at acceptable levels.

ADHICS Policies & Procedures

We help you set up the necessary privacy and security policies and procedures to meet ADHICS compliance.

Security Testing

We conduct ongoing security tests and penetration checks to help you stay compliant with ADHICS standards.

Security Awareness

We offer training for all employees to reduce the risk of security issues caused by human error.

Technology Implementations

We advise on fixing technology issues and setting up technical controls to enhance security.

ADHICS Implementation Reviews

We periodically review your progress in implementing ADHICS in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi to ensure compliance and address any issues.

ADHICS Internal Audits

We perform internal audits to find any deviations from your ISMS policies and procedures and help you correct them.