In recent years, the healthcare industry’s adoption of technology has been steadily increasing. This is noticeable in the information sector, where patient information is now being saved with more ease than ever before. However, there is one drawback: the security of this information becomes more vulnerable with each passing day.
Patient privacy and healthcare data are some of the most sensitive pieces of personal information. As such, they are one of the most sought-after as well as most frequently breached data types. This has made it incredibly challenging to protect patient data from cyber-attacks launched by cybercriminals. Consequently, sophisticated yet comprehensive security measures have to be put in place to protect these data.
Below, we have provided you with tips on how you can ensure the security of patient privacy and healthcare data under your care:
Educate Healthcare Personnel
One of the biggest security threats in every industry, including healthcare, is the human component (such as employees, remote workers, and external vendors). According to research statistics, the majority of data breaches can be attributed to the human factor. To prevent this, healthcare providers have to educate and train their personnel. Efforts, such as providing security awareness training, will equip them with the required knowledge to make the right decisions.
Conduct Routine Risk Assessment
Conducting a regular risk assessment is an effective way to identify the vulnerabilities of the healthcare organization. It also enables the providers to identify the gaps in their data security system, allowing them to resolve potential breaches before they occur.
Secure Data With a VPN
Another way to protect patient privacy and healthcare information is to secure data with a VPN. A virtual private network is a tool that enables its users to encrypt and disguise their online activities. Using a VPN, a healthcare organization can protect its system from data breaches and cyber-attacks, and prevent cybercriminals from decrypting personal data even if they gain access.
Restrict Access to Data
Restricting access to private health records is another effective way of ensuring the security of patient data. As a result, only certified personnel who require access to sensitive data will be granted said access. When this measure is implemented, it prevents the general populace from accessing sensitive data. To facilitate its implementation, healthcare providers should put user authentication processes in place such as strong passwords and two-factor authentication.
Implement Role-Based Access
Several role based access control systems allow healthcare providers to set up their software so that different persons will have access to different system levels. As such, each person will only have access to the specific system-level they have been assigned. This method employs the use of logins or keys, without which a healthcare worker will not be able to access the system.
Endnote
Hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers have the responsibility to safeguard patient data and critical healthcare information. Possible ways to achieve this include educating hospital staff members and healthcare personnel, restricting access to patient data, securing data with a VPN, and implementing role based access principles. While it is tasking and expensive to employ these measures, they are necessary to ensure that patient healthcare information is kept secure. With them, you can rest assured that every piece of data within your organization's system is safe and secure.
