Home » AZ Turnhout safeguards patient safety with 24/7 security monitoring

AZ Turnhout safeguards patient safety with 24/7 security monitoring

Customer Case - AZ-Turnhout

For hospitals, safe systems mean actively protecting human lives.

AZ Turnhout - Healthcare

AZ Turnhout safeguards patient safety with 24/7 security monitoring

Cybercriminals are continually targeting valuable data, and public institutions such as hospitals are among their primary targets. To strengthen the security of its IT environment and stay ahead of evolving threats, AZ Turnhout partnered with SecWise.
“For hospitals, secure systems directly translate into patient safety. By protecting every device, we are helping to safeguard human lives.”
SecWise Staff - Keith Custers
Keith Custers
Senior Security Advisor, SecWise
Learn here how that collaboration took shape.

A growing sense of urgency amid rising ransomware attacks

Several years ago, as ransomware attacks against hospitals worldwide continued to escalate, AZ Turnhout took proactive steps to strengthen its cybersecurity strategy and better protect its critical systems and patient data.
“As a general hospital, we manage an extensive amount of sensitive medical data. Protecting that data requires continuous and in-depth monitoring of our IT environment.”
Customer AZturnhout -Manu Vanden Broeck
Manu Vanden Broeck
IT Director, AZ Turnhout
Rather than responding reactively, AZ Turnhout chose to invest in preventive security measures. Building on a previous successful collaboration, continuing and further evolving this partnership with SecWise was a logical next step.

From assessment to 24/7 protection, detection & reponse

Many SecWise projects starts with a comprehensive security assessment. This allowes our experts to identify vulnerabilities within AZ Turnhout’s IT infrastructure and define clear improvement areas.
One of the most impactful recommendations was the implementation of a 24/7 Security Operations Centre (SOC), ensuring constant visibility, monitoring, and rapid response across all systems.
“Having a partner who quickly identifies risks is crucial. But it’s also important to have an internal team that actively works on security.”
Manu Vanden Broeck
IT Director, AZ Turnhout
As part of this approach, the following components of the Microsoft 365 Security Stack were implemented:
  • Microsoft Defender XDR for unified threat detection, prevention, and response
  • Microsoft Entra ID and Intune to strengthen identity, access, and device security
  • External Attack Surface Management (EASM) to identify and manage external cyber risks
Security optimisation doesn’t stop after implementation. AZ Turnhout receives monthly security scoring and reporting, enabling continuous improvement.

A partnership that grows with your cyber security maturity

Cyber threats and security regulations evolve at a relentless pace, particularly in the healthcare sector. That’s why SecWise works side by side with AZ Turnhout as a long-term security partner, continuously adapting controls, processes, and priorities as their cyber maturity increases.
Rather than a one-off implementation, the collaboration focuses on ongoing advice, 24/7 monitoring, and continuous optimisation, ensuring AZ Turnhout remains resilient today while preparing for tomorrow’s challenges.
“SecWise doesn’t just monitor our environment. They proactively make recommendations, follow up on improvements, and verify that everything keeps running smoothly. That level of involvement gives us real peace of mind.”
Manu Vanden Broeck
IT Director, AZ Turnhout

Looking ahead: NIS2 compliance

AZ Turnhout is already preparing for the future. Together with SecWise, the organisation conducted a NIS2 GAP analysis and translated the results into a clear, actionable compliance roadmap, ensuring regulatory readiness while maintaining operational continuity.
This roadmap allows AZ Turnhout to prioritise the right security, governance, and incident‑response measures without disrupting day‑to‑day hospital operations. By embedding NIS2 requirements into existing processes and capabilities, the hospital strengthens its resilience in a structured and sustainable way. With SecWise as a guiding partner, NIS2 becomes not just a regulatory obligation, but a catalyst for continued cyber maturity and long‑term digital trust.

Ready to strengthen your security posture?

At SecWise, we don’t just implement security. We own, operate and continuously improve it, as if it were our own environment.

Would you like to know how managed security services can help your organisation stay secure, resilient and in control? Get in touch. We’d be happy to explore this together.