PracticeForces Shares the Importance of Improved Healthcare Data Security Standards
Hackers are more likely to infiltrate healthcare database systems due to the amount of essential and identifying information they store about their patients. Taking security measures such as regularly updating systems and passwords can prevent a cyber attack.
Healthcare databases are at a higher risk than other industries of falling victim to cyber-attacks. Due to the private nature of the data collected and stored in the healthcare industry, as well as HIPAA security rules and GDPR standards, protecting patient data is essential to the overall quality of care.
Thus, adhering to healthcare data security standards keeps your patients safe and avoids possible problems associated with a cyber attack. Keep reading this guide to improving patient safety from PracticeForces to find out more about healthcare information security and simple ways to protect your systems.
Why Is Healthcare Data at an Increased Risk for Cyber Attacks?
The healthcare industry collects an unprecedented amount of administrative, physical, and technical data. From a patient's name and social security number to their payment information, the material stored in healthcare databases can put patients at risk of identity theft.
Furthermore, healthcare data tends to have a higher selling point on the black market, making it an attractive target for hackers. Patient information is thus a valuable and attractive commodity.
What Factors Can Put Healthcare Data at Risk?
When developing a new healthcare database or security system, one must take the following healthcare data security standards into account:
- Age of system: Older systems are much easier for hackers to infiltrate, as companies often do not support these systems with the same security standards as current operations. Hackers also have more time to learn older systems, thus cracking their encryption and security codes is easier.
- Mediocre wireless security: Hackers can use wireless internet to infiltrate healthcare data. Make sure you use strong and complex passwords for wireless connections associated with patient databases.
- Email scams: Email scams have become increasingly sophisticated and thus easier to believe. Hackers often implant malware into these emails, which employees can open and unleash.
- Substandard security training for employees: Employees are your first line of defense against cyber attacks, as their accounts have access to patient information. Explaining email scams, online security, password strength, and other cyber security to employees will help prevent hackers from gaining unauthorized access to your systems.
How to Improve Healthcare Data Security
Taking these simple security measures can lower your risk of a cyber attack:
- Use a VPN: VPNs can hide your IP address and prevent hackers from accessing your connection.
- Store data on company devices only: Make sure that your employees only use devices associated with the company to store and access patient information, as personal devices are more susceptible to hacking.
- Change passwords: Mandating employees to change their passwords frequently can help prevent cyber attacks.
Looking for IT Support?
If you need extra IT support or help with EHR/PM installation to improve your healthcare data security standards, PracticeForces can help. They provide IT, medical billing, and credentialing services for healthcare professionals. Call their Clearwater, FL location at (727) 499-0351 for more information.
For a better understanding of HIPAA law and its importance to medical billing, read this blog.
