A Guide to Healthcare Data Security

Data security is a very important aspect of the healthcare field as it ensures the protection of confidential patient records and complies with the regulations set by healthcare regulatory authorities. Before, it was very difficult to protect a patient’s information. This is because such records were made on paper and kept in cabinets. However, thanks to modern technology, it is now easy to store important information online.

With advancements made in technology today, patient records can be stored on servers, computers, and storage devices. With these advancements, there are still some risks like hackers, malware, viruses, or other malicious cyber breaches. This is why electronic data security is important as it helps to secure such electronic records.

Data security is any preventive measures put in place to protect information. The main focus of data security for healthcare is to create an efficient and effective plan to make sure that a hospital’s data and patient information are well secured. Many healthcare data security challenges are averted with good data security solutions. So it is necessary for medical organizations to carefully determine such challenges and develop an effective solution that can help.

With this in mind, let’s discuss some of these challenges that medical organizations need to be aware of, certain solutions that can help, and some security best practices that can help medical organizations.

Data Security Challenges that Medical Organizations Face

The following are some of the challenges they face:

Using Legacy or Outdated Systems

Using outdated applications, operating systems, and legacy systems make things easier for hackers. They can gain access to medical information at ease. These system types do not have proper security because they are not supported by the software company that produced them. It is wise to upgrade to a more secured application system.

Poor or Unsecured Wireless Network Security

Data security goes beyond wired workspace. Many medical organizations make use of wireless devices. It is vital to ensure that these devices are not open source but secured with complicated passwords.

Email Scams 

Phishing emails are becoming more complicated and hard to detect. These emails look like they are original and are from legit companies and vendors. When a person opens these emails or clicks on the links, he/she will install malware and allow the hackers to get access to the medical information. If you would like to know what phishing emails are and how to curb them, read this article.

Lack of Proper Training

Without the right training in cyber safety, employees of a medical organization might not know how to properly secure their medical records. They might not know when they are violating simple protocols. Without proper instructions, patients’ records will be prone to hackers and other information breaches.

Certain Data Security Solutions that Help

The following are some solutions that work:

Backup and Recovery

It is necessary to keep your medical records regularly backed up to secure cloud servers. These servers are important when you have different locations or want to store the records in a safe location.

Encryption

Encryption is important when you are transferring data from a workstation to a server, or cloud-based system. The encrypted information is well secured and won’t be exposed to hackers or malware.

Anti-virus/Spyware Applications

Another solution to consider is an application that protects your systems from spyware, virus, malware, etc. You need to choose an app that suits your organization’s needs best. You can hire a company that offers such solutions tailored to meet the need.

System Monitoring Applications

There are different types of applications that monitor different operations, procedures, and processes. You can get an app that helps to access, create, move, and delete outdated files. You can also get another app that detects cyber breaches, and identify unauthorized access or changes made to a user account.

Multi-Factor Authentication

Another way to secure your important data is by using multiple-factor authentication methods. These need the users to give their username, and password, and verify their identity before granting access to the information. For more information on what multi-factor authentication means, check here: https://www.techtarget.com/

Data Security Best Practices to Employ

Here are some of the best practices to consider for your healthcare organization:

Educate Your Healthcare Workers

One of the biggest threats to security is your human workforce. Simple human negligence or error could lead to expensive and disastrous problems for a medical organization. You will save a lot of money by educating your workers on how to properly handle important operational and patient information.

Restricting Access to Certain Applications and Information 

Restrict certain information to only those who should have access to it for their job. Access restrictions will include multi authentication of users, ensuring that only those with the right to view the information can.

Implement Usage Controls

Your healthcare organization will use these usage controls to block out specific actions involved in sensitive data like copying to external drives, web uploads, and unauthorized mailing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, data security in the healthcare field is very necessary. Your organization must identify the challenges to its cybersecurity and find the right solutions that solve the problems.