The healthcare industry has a lot of vulnerabilities when it comes to data security.
Employee carelessness
While most physician practices are diligent about protecting patient information, one of the biggest threats to healthcare data security is employee carelessness. Medical facilities are required to follow HIPAA protocols. Click here for more information about this standard.
The Massachusetts General Hospital, for example, recently paid a $1 million fine for a data breach that wasn’t the result of a hacker breaking into the system. Instead, an employee accidentally left a stack of paper files on a subway train, allowing the information to be accessed by the wrong person.
A study released by the Ponemon Institute found that 90 percent of healthcare organizations have experienced a data breach. While most of these breaches were relatively small, affecting only a few hundred people, the total cost to the healthcare industry was estimated at $6 billion. According to the study, employee carelessness is the main cause of healthcare data breaches.
Outdated technology
Many hospitals are relying on outdated technology when it comes to the security of their healthcare data. Old operating systems and outdated technologies have made it easy for hackers to gain access to sensitive information. As a result, healthcare data security is more critical than ever. It’s important to upgrade old technology to ensure the security of your information.
Outdated technology is costing hospitals billions of dollars every year. Not only is this due to lost productivity, but it also affects patient care. In the United States alone, the cost of implementing outdated technology is estimated at over $8 billion annually.
Outdated technologies cause clinicians to lose 46 minutes a day waiting for patient information. Additionally, outdated technology leads to increased discharge times, which can decrease patient care.
Healthcare data security must be a top priority for hospitals. The medical field relies on multiple devices to access and store confidential patient data. These devices can be compromised and used to target other network devices or install ransomware. Without proper security measures, these devices can be hacked by hackers, leading to serious problems for hospitals.
Ransomware
Healthcare organizations must focus on the cybersecurity of their systems and data. Without a proactive action plan, organizations will be susceptible to ransomware cyberattacks. Leadership and IT departments must work together to develop an action plan that addresses the threat and secures the organization. To protect health systems, HIMSS TV has produced a deep dive into ransomware attacks and best practices for securing them.
Ransomware attacks are increasingly common, and many healthcare entities are ideal targets. They possess sensitive data, have aging IT infrastructures, and engage in time-sensitive file sharing. Most ransomware attacks are driven by phishing emails that lure targets to malicious websites and download malware. Hospitals and other healthcare organizations should adopt robust cybersecurity practices and maintain training for employees.
Hospital leaders can play a direct role in strengthening cybersecurity by advocating for more collaboration and public-private partnerships. These joint efforts can reduce the number of successful ransomware attacks, reduce the financial incentive for hackers, and enable organizations to recover and continue operations faster.
Access controls
Medical organizations need to implement physical security measures to protect sensitive materials such as medical equipment, drugs, and other sensitive information.
These materials need to be stored in a secure location, and only authorized personnel should have access to them. Some hospitals even implement additional security measures, such as access controls. An expert can help determine what security measures are appropriate. Click the link: https://primetsr.com/insights/the-importance-of-healthcare-data-security/ for more information. For example, hospitals with emergency rooms or maternity wards need special protection to protect patients’ private information.
Encryption
Encryption is a critical component of medical record protection. It ensures the confidentiality of patient records and prevents unauthorized parties from accessing it. Medical organizations need to be aware of the different types of encryption available. Encryption can be used on both computer systems and mobile devices to protect sensitive patient records.
Medical record protection is a vital component of the medical industry. It protects the private and confidential information of patients and helps medical providers comply with HIPAA regulations. Unlike in the past, medical records are now stored on electronic devices and are more vulnerable to viruses, malware, and records breaches.
Encryption is increasingly becoming the norm for medical records protection. The rise of electronic medical records (EMRs), mobile devices, and the ability to transmit PHI via email have increased the need for secure records. Medical records encryption allows medical systems to securely share patient health information across medical systems and to external organizations authorized to receive the information.
Despite the benefits of encryption, medical record protection is still not perfect. Many accidents and inattentive employees can compromise the protection of patient information. It’s essential to lock workstations before leaving, and use auto-lock features to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive records.
