A GENERIC QUALITATIVE STUDY OF EFFECTIVE PRIVILEGED ACCESS CONTROL (PAC) STRATEGIES IN THE U.S. HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY

The increasing prevalence of cyber threats in the U.S. healthcare industry necessitates robust privileged access control (PAC) strategies to safeguard sensitive patient data. This study employs a qualitative inquiry using semi-structured interviews, guided by the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework, with 12 U.S. healthcare IT professionals, including administrators, security professionals, and managers. The study’s question, “What are the effective privileged access control strategies related to technological, organizational, and environmental factors that cybersecurity managers use in the healthcare industry to reduce financial costs and ensure organization viability?”, was answered by collecting qualitative data. Through thematic analysis, the study explores effective PAC mechanisms from experts in healthcare settings. Findings highlight key technological strategies, including role-based access control (RBAC), privileged access management (PAM), artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain integration, and multi-factor authentication. Organizational strategies emphasize cross-department collaboration, regular training, and a security-first leadership culture. Environmental factors such as HIPAA compliance, regulatory frameworks, and market pressures further shape PAC implementation. The study provides a comprehensive framework for cybersecurity practitioners, policymakers, and IT professionals, offering insights applicable across industries. By integrating advanced technological solutions with strategic organizational practices, this research contributes to the ongoing effort to mitigate insider threats and unauthorized access, enhancing patient data security in an increasingly interconnected healthcare environment.