Healthcare today runs on data, systems, and digital connections. Patient records move across platforms. Medical devices connect to networks. Cloud services support daily operations. All of this makes healthcare faster and smarter. It also makes it vulnerable. That is why the Department of Health introduced ADHICS—a framework that defines how healthcare facilities must protect information and systems. At the heart of ADHICS lies a set of basic security controls. These controls form the minimum foundation every healthcare facility must implement. If you run or manage a hospital, clinic, diagnostic center, or healthcare IT environment, this ADHICS Basic Controls Checklist helps you understand what regulators expect and how to meet those expectations confidently.

This guide breaks each control down clearly, practically, and in plain language—so you can move from compliance confusion to clarity.

Understanding ADHICS and Basic Controls

ADHICS stands for Abu Dhabi Healthcare Information and Cyber Security. The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi developed it to safeguard healthcare data, systems, and patients.

ADHICS applies to all licensed healthcare entities, regardless of size or specialty. This includes hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centers, telemedicine providers, and healthcare technology vendors.

Basic controls represent the minimum cybersecurity requirements. They form the first layer of defense. Without them, healthcare environments remain exposed to common threats such as unauthorized access, data leakage, and ransomware.

Think of basic controls as your security baseline. Everything else builds on top of them.

Why ADHICS Basic Controls Checklist Matters

Healthcare environments face unique challenges. Systems must stay available at all times. Clinical workflows cannot stop. Data accuracy directly affects patient care.

Basic controls help you:

Reduce cyber risk
Protect patient data
Ensure system availability
Meet regulatory obligations
Prepare for audits

Without these controls, even small security incidents can escalate quickly.

In Abu Dhabi’s connected ecosystem, especially with Malaffi integration, weak controls in one facility can impact many others.

ADHICS Basic Controls Checklist: Governance and Information Security Management

Governance forms the backbone of ADHICS compliance.

You must define clear roles and responsibilities for information security. Someone must own cybersecurity decisions, policies, and oversight.

Written policies should cover acceptable use, data protection, access control, and incident response. These policies guide staff behavior and provide evidence during audits.

Training also matters. Staff awareness reduces human error, which remains one of the biggest security risks in healthcare.

Strong governance turns security from a technical issue into an organizational priority.

Asset Inventory and Classification

You cannot protect what you do not know.

ADHICS requires you to maintain a complete inventory of information assets. This includes servers, workstations, medical devices, applications, databases, and cloud services.

Once identified, assets must be classified based on sensitivity. Patient data usually falls into restricted or confidential categories.

Classification drives security decisions. It determines how data gets stored, accessed, and protected.

An updated asset inventory also simplifies audits and risk assessments.

ADHICS Basic Controls Checklist for Access Control and User Management

Access control ensures that only authorized individuals can access systems and data.

You should assign access based on job roles. Clinical staff, administrators, and IT teams need different permissions. Least-privilege access reduces exposure.

User accounts must remain unique. Shared accounts make accountability impossible.

Regular access reviews help remove unnecessary permissions when roles change or staff leave.

Strong access control protects both data and system integrity.

Password and Authentication Controls

Passwords remain a common attack vector.

ADHICS requires strong password policies. These policies should enforce complexity, expiration, and reuse restrictions.

Where possible, multi-factor authentication adds another layer of protection, especially for administrative access and remote connections.

Default passwords on systems and devices must be changed immediately.

Authentication controls block many attacks before they start.

Network Security and Segmentation

Healthcare networks carry sensitive traffic.

ADHICS expects you to secure networks using firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and controlled access points.

Network segmentation plays a critical role. Clinical systems, administrative systems, and guest networks should remain separate.

Segmentation limits lateral movement if an attacker gains access.

A well-designed network reduces risk without disrupting care delivery.

Endpoint and Device Security

Endpoints include desktops, laptops, tablets, and mobile devices. Many of these devices access patient data daily.

You must protect endpoints with antivirus, patch management, and secure configurations.

Medical devices that connect to networks also fall under this scope. Legacy systems need special attention since they often lack modern security features.

Endpoint security prevents common threats like malware and ransomware.

Data Protection and Encryption

Healthcare data requires strong protection.

ADHICS requires encryption for sensitive data at rest and in transit. Encryption ensures that even if data gets intercepted, it remains unreadable.

You should also restrict data copying, downloading, and external sharing.

When systems integrate with Malaffi, data protection becomes even more critical due to emirate-wide visibility.

Protecting data protects patients.

Backup and Recovery Controls

System availability matters in healthcare.

ADHICS requires regular backups of critical systems and data. Backups must remain secure and protected from unauthorized access.

You should test recovery processes regularly. Backups that cannot restore systems fail their purpose.

Backup controls ensure continuity of care during incidents.

Logging, Monitoring, and Audit Trails

Visibility strengthens security.

ADHICS requires logging of system activities, access attempts, and security events. These logs help detect suspicious behavior early.

Monitoring tools alert teams to potential issues before they escalate.

Audit trails also support investigations and regulatory reviews.

Without logs, incidents remain invisible.

Incident Response and Reporting

No system remains immune forever.

ADHICS requires healthcare facilities to prepare for security incidents. You must define clear response procedures, escalation paths, and communication plans.

Staff should know how to report suspicious activity.

If incidents affect patient data, you must notify authorities within required timelines.

Preparedness reduces chaos and limits damage.

Third-Party and Vendor Management

Vendors access systems, data, and networks.

ADHICS requires you to assess vendor security before onboarding. Contracts should define security responsibilities clearly.

You should monitor vendor access and review compliance regularly.

Vendor weaknesses often become organizational risks.

Strong oversight protects your environment.

Aligning Basic Controls with Malaffi

Malaffi connects healthcare providers across Abu Dhabi.

Any system that integrates with Malaffi must meet ADHICS basic controls. Weak controls can disrupt data exchange and trust.

Strong access control, encryption, logging, and network security support secure Malaffi integration.

Alignment ensures accurate, timely, and safe data sharing.

Common Gaps in Basic Control Implementation

Many healthcare facilities struggle with similar gaps.

Common issues include outdated asset inventories, weak password policies, poor logging, and limited vendor oversight.

Some facilities focus only on advanced tools while neglecting fundamentals.

Basic controls work best when implemented consistently and reviewed regularly.

ADHICS basic controls form the foundation of cybersecurity in Abu Dhabi healthcare.

They protect patient data, support regulatory compliance, and enable secure digital transformation. When implemented correctly, these controls reduce risk without slowing care delivery.

You do not need perfection. You need consistency, visibility, and accountability.

Start with the basics. Strengthen them continuously. Build confidence in your security posture.

FAQs

1. What are ADHICS basic controls?

They are the minimum cybersecurity requirements that healthcare facilities in Abu Dhabi must implement to protect systems and patient data.

2. Do small clinics need to follow the ADHICS basic controls checklist?

Yes. ADHICS applies to all licensed healthcare entities, regardless of size.

3. How do basic controls support Malaffi integration?

They ensure secure access, data protection, and system reliability for connected healthcare platforms.

4. Are basic controls enough for full ADHICS compliance?

Basic controls form the foundation. Additional controls may apply based on risk and system complexity.

5. How often should basic controls be reviewed?

You should review them regularly and whenever systems, vendors, or workflows change.