The wave of digital transformation has taken over every single industry, healthcare is no exception. Institutions are adopting various cloud-based technologies to help deliver better care to patients. These software solutions also allow the hospitals to better manage their resources and increase operational efficiencies.
However, the adoption of technology comes with certain disadvantages. Storing sensitive data over the cloud does expose us to online attacks.
For patients who rely on innovative medical equipment, reliable healthcare data might be the difference between life and death. While connecting these gadgets to the internet improves healthcare practitioners’ capacity to treat patients, it also increases the potential of cybersecurity attacks.
Let us straightaway dive in to understand how we can take necessary measures to keep healthcare systems secure.
Third-party cyber risk management program
A third-party cyber risk management programme safeguards the security of your network ecosystem. Third-party contractors are generally in charge of numerous day-to-day operations, and if they suffer a data breach, your organization will be in danger as well. This is why, in addition to their own cybersecurity, organizations should keep an eye on their third-party vendors, distributors, and service providers.
Train the staff
For healthcare companies, simple human error can have severe and costly effects. Equipping healthcare workers with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions and exercise proper caution when managing patient data is very helpful.
Conduct training sessions to spread awareness on security and share best practices to follow across digital platforms.
Continuous logging and monitoring
Traditional point-in-time evaluations only give users a single view of their cybersecurity situation.
Officials can monitor which users are accessing what information and applications from which devices and locations by logging all access and usage data.
An audit trail may help organisations locate precise access points, ascertain the reason, and assess damages after an incident happens.
Encryption
Encryption as a data protection method is very effective and highly recommended.
HIPAA makes recommendations but does not require healthcare organisations to implement data encryption. The rule leaves it up to healthcare providers and business associates to decide which encryption methods and other measures are necessary or appropriate in light of the organization’s workflow and other requirements.
Secure applications
Secure all your web-based applications like patient portal and booking website. While it is one of the most challenging hazards to handle, it is essential for maintaining a compliant IT network since it necessitates the implementation of comprehensive security policies.
Secure devices
Healthcare providers and covered entities are increasingly using mobile devices in their daily operations. This also includes connected medical devices, thanks to the internet of things.
A series of steps are involved in securing mobile devices.
The types of healthcare data security solutions you should use are determined by the data storage methods you use, the categories of data you collect, the length of time you keep it, and other factors. In general, you should have security measures in place for your patients, employees, suppliers, and vendors.
Implementing core controls that connect with other systems to proactively respond to attacks is the solution to healthcare businesses’ extraordinary cyber threat challenge. An organisation may be well on its way to fulfilling several compliances and/or security standards if it has adopted excellent security processes and controls.[/ohio_text]