In the age of digital technology, keeping sensitive data safe is more important than ever. Healthcare organizations are particularly vulnerable to data breaches due to their high-value information and outdated regulations. But there are ways to safeguard your patient’s data from cyber criminals. In this article, we’ll cover the top 13 ways you can prevent a healthcare data breach so that you can protect your patients and organization from a costly disaster.
What factors have contributed to an increased emphasis on the healthcare industry?
The healthcare industry is a prime target for cybercriminals due to the high-value data it contains. Patient information such as Social Security numbers, financial details, and medical histories are all attractive targets and can be sold on the dark web for a hefty price. Healthcare organizations are also vulnerable to ransomware attacks, which can put patient care at risk if the organization is unable to access its systems. Additionally, healthcare regulations are often outdated and not equipped with the latest security measures, meaning they’re an easy target for hackers. For these reasons, it’s vitally important that healthcare organizations take steps to protect their data and prevent a healthcare data breach.
It’s clear that healthcare organizations must take proactive steps to secure their data and protect patient information from malicious cyberattacks. To ensure the safety of patients and staff, it is essential for healthcare organizations to stay up-to-date with the latest security measures. Stay tuned for our next article on how the COVID-19 outbreak has affected cyber security in the healthcare industry.
The COVID-19 outbreak
The COVID-19 outbreak has had a major impact on the healthcare industry. The sudden shift to remote work, increased reliance on digital tools, and the need for rapid response to the virus spread have all put patient data at risk of cyberattacks. Additionally, many healthcare organizations have been forced to use public places like stadiums for vaccine delivery—without proper security measures in place. These factors have created an environment ripe for cybercriminals to exploit, resulting in an increase of 25% in medical data breaches compared to last year. To combat this threat, healthcare organizations must take proactive steps to protect their data and prevent a healthcare data breach from occurring. This includes improving employee training around cybersecurity best practices, ensuring that systems are up-to-date with the latest security measures, and investing in robust cybersecurity solutions.
Outdated regulations
Healthcare data breaches can be caused by outdated regulations. HIPAA, the main security regulation in the industry, was published in 1996 and does not provide comprehensive protection against modern cyber threats. Therefore, confidential patient information may not be adequately protected from unauthorized access. HIPAA is a non-prescriptive compliance framework; organizations have flexibility in implementing these standards, which may create potential risks and vulnerabilities. Vendor compromise is another potential security issue as, while HIPAA sets certain data security requirements for third-party suppliers, it lacks preventive measures such as regular audits to identify weaknesses before they are taken advantage of. Healthcare organizations should be aware of dated regulations and take measures to protect patient data from potential vulnerabilities.
An increasing number of medical devices are being developed
Internet-connected medical devices present a new security risk to healthcare organizations. These include defibrillators, radiological imaging systems, and others that may lack sufficient measures. Unauthorized users could gain access and bypass passwords, potentially viewing confidential patient info from connected servers. To protect patient data, healthcare organizations must apply patches/updates, encryption protocols, and multi-factor authentication on any device with or linked to sensitive info. Taking these precautions can help to stop patient info from being exposed to the wrong people.
Lack of investment
Lack of investment in cybersecurity remains one of the most significant threats to healthcare data security. With the cost of a data breach ranging from $200,000 to over $1 million, it’s clear that any organization needs to take proactive measures to protect patient information. Unfortunately, many healthcare providers are still not investing enough resources into cybersecurity. As a result, their networks may be vulnerable to attacks and data breaches.
Organizations should prioritize investing in strong encryption protocols and multifactor authentication as well as training staff on best practices for avoiding cyber attacks. Additionally, they should also look into utilizing third-party IT vendors who can provide additional support and services related to compliance and security. By taking these steps, healthcare organizations can reduce the risk of a data breach while keeping costs within budget.
Strategies for Decreasing Data Security Risks in Healthcare
Recent data breaches in healthcare can have serious consequences, including financial losses, reputational damage, and patient safety issues. To protect sensitive medical information from unauthorized access, healthcare organizations need to take a proactive approach to cybersecurity. Here are thirteen ways healthcare organizations can prevent data breaches:
1. Analyze current security risks
Analyzing current security risks is a crucial step in preventing a healthcare data breach. The first thing to do is conduct an annual security risk analysis, which should include vulnerability detection and policy reviews. This helps identify weaknesses in the system, such as outdated software or unsecured networks. Once identified, these issues must be addressed right away in order to prevent a breach. Additionally, organizations should review their policies and procedures related to cybersecurity on a regular basis to ensure they are up-to-date and effective. Finally, IT vendors should provide regular assessments of the organization’s cyber defenses to detect any weak points that could be exploited by hackers. By taking these precautions, healthcare organizations can better protect patient information from falling into malicious hands.
2. Have an incident response plan
Having an incident response plan is essential in preventing a healthcare data breach. This plan should include detailed steps to take if a security incident occurs, including communication protocols, procedures for reporting and responding to the incident, and a timeline for recovery. Additionally, all members of the organization should be familiar with the plan in order to ensure a quick response when an incident does occur. The response plan should also include provisions for notification and risk assessment of affected individuals or organizations. Finally, it’s important to regularly review and update the response plan as needed to ensure that it is effective in addressing any new risks or threats that may arise. By having an up-to-date incident response plan in place, healthcare organizations can better protect patient information from falling into malicious hands.
3. Continuous education of staff is encouraged
It is essential for healthcare organizations to ensure that their staff remains up-to-date on the latest cybersecurity threats and best practices. Education should start with a comprehensive risk assessment, which can help identify any areas of vulnerability within the organization. All employees should receive training in basic cyber hygiene and be fully aware of the organization’s security policies and procedures. Additionally, healthcare organizations should make sure that their employees are regularly updated on new technologies, including encryption and multi-factor authentication. Finally, it’s important to create an open dialogue between IT staff, management, and other personnel so that everyone is aware of any potential risks or changes in security policies that could affect patient data. By staying informed about the latest trends in cybersecurity and continually training their staff, healthcare organizations can better protect themselves from data breaches.
4. Restricting access to health records
Healthcare organizations should take steps to limit the number of individuals who have access to patient health records. This includes removing unnecessary access rights and implementing multi-factor authentication whenever possible. Additionally, healthcare organizations should ensure that only those with a legitimate business need can access data and that all users are properly trained on best practices for data security. It is important to regularly review and update user accounts to make sure that only authorized personnel have access to medical records. By limiting access rights, healthcare organizations can prevent unauthorized users from accessing sensitive information and protect their patients’ privacy.
5. Create subnetworks
Creating subnetworks is an important security measure for healthcare organizations. Subnetworks can be used to create separate networks for different user groups, such as patients, visitors, personnel, and medical devices. This helps ensure that only authorized users can access sensitive information, as well as preventing unauthorized users from gaining access to the system. Additionally, it helps protect against malicious software or hackers that may try to breach the network. By creating separate networks for different user groups, healthcare organizations can make sure that only authorized users have access to patient data and that only those with a legitimate need are able to view records. Furthermore, this will help protect against data breaches by limiting the number of potential attack vectors.
6. Restrict the use of personal devices
In order to prevent a healthcare data breach, it is important to limit the use of personal devices. This can help ensure that sensitive information is not accessed or shared outside of the network. For example, if an employee brings their own device to work and connects it to the company’s network, there is a risk that malware could be inadvertently transferred from the device onto the system. Furthermore, personal devices can be used to access confidential patient data without authorization. To mitigate this risk, organizations should consider implementing a policy that prohibits employees from using their own devices for work-related activities unless specifically authorized. Additionally, any employee-owned devices that are allowed on the network should be regularly scanned for viruses and other malicious software. By limiting and monitoring the use of personal devices, healthcare organizations can better protect themselves from potential data breaches.
7. Avoid using outdated IT infrastructure
In order to prevent a healthcare data breach, it is important to avoid using outdated IT infrastructure. Outdated systems are more vulnerable to cyberattacks and therefore pose a greater risk of unauthorized access to confidential patient records. To reduce this risk, healthcare organizations should regularly evaluate their existing technology and upgrade any outdated hardware or software as soon as possible. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing measures such as firewalls, antivirus protection, and encryption software in order to protect the network from malicious actors. Furthermore, training staff members on common security protocols can help ensure that they are aware of potential risks associated with using outdated systems. By taking the necessary steps to keep up with technological advances, healthcare organizations can better protect themselves from potential data breaches.
8. Update your software regularly
Regular software updates can help protect healthcare organizations from data breaches by ensuring that any security vulnerabilities are patched. By keeping up with the latest software updates, organizations can ensure that their systems are resistant to current cybersecurity threats. Furthermore, these updates often come with new features and capabilities which allow organizations to improve the quality of their services, as well as better protect themselves against malicious actors. To ensure that all devices and systems in an organization are updated regularly, IT administrators should create a system to track when each device is due for an update. Additionally, organizations should create a policy that requires staff members to install any relevant software updates in order to reduce the risk of data breaches. By staying up-to-date with the latest software releases, healthcare organizations can significantly reduce their risk of data loss or corruption due to cyberattacks.
9. Review service-level agreements
When working with third-party vendors, healthcare organizations must take extra care to protect patient data. One of the most important steps for organizations to take is to review any service-level agreements (SLAs) that are in place between them and their vendors. These SLAs should clearly outline each party’s responsibilities when it comes to handling and protecting patient data. It is essential that healthcare organizations carefully review any SLAs and make sure they are compliant with all applicable laws such as HIPAA. Organizations should also ensure that they have the right to revoke access to any data if the vendor fails to meet their obligations under the agreement or if the contract is terminated. By carefully reviewing and understanding these SLAs, healthcare organizations can help prevent a data breach from occurring due to a vendor’s negligence or malicious intent.
10. Encrypt data
Encrypting data is one of the best ways to prevent a healthcare data breach. This involves using an encryption algorithm to scramble data and make it unreadable until it is decrypted with the correct key. Encryption can be used to protect both stored and transmitted data, meaning that even if malicious actors gain access to confidential information, they will not be able to make sense of it without the right key. Encryption is also required by law in some cases, such as when transmitting electronic health records (EHRs). Healthcare organizations should ensure that their encryption solutions are up-to-date and use strong keys that are regularly changed. By encrypting all sensitive data, healthcare organizations can significantly reduce the risk of a successful data breach.
11. Set and enforce retention schedules
Retention schedules are an important part of protecting sensitive healthcare data. These schedules set out the period for which EHRs, financial records, and other confidential information should be retained before being securely destroyed. This prevents the data from staying in the digital environment longer than required. Retention schedules should specify what information to keep, the length of time to retain it, the storage type (e.g., cloud or on-premise), and destruction methods (e.g., shredding). To ensure that these schedules are followed, healthcare organizations should set clear policies and procedures, as well as enforce them with regular audits. Doing so will help protect sensitive data from falling into the wrong hands and reduce the risk of a successful healthcare data breach.
12. Destroy sensitive information properly
It is important to properly destroy any sensitive information that is no longer needed. Doing so will help reduce the chances of a healthcare data breach. One way to do this is to use a document destruction company that provides a verified and certified service. This kind of service ensures that all confidential documents are securely destroyed, protecting them from falling into the wrong hands. Documents should be shredded or incinerated, depending on the type of information contained within them. It is also important for healthcare organizations to keep track of what has been destroyed and when, as well as who handled the material throughout its lifecycle. Properly destroying sensitive information in this manner will reduce the risk of a successful data breach and ensure that confidential patient information remains secure at all times.
13. Invest more in your security
It is important for healthcare organizations to invest more in their security. This means investing in digital security solutions such as encryption, two-factor authentication, and secure passwords. Healthcare providers should also invest in physical security measures such as locks, alarms, and surveillance systems. Additionally, healthcare providers should consider implementing data loss prevention tools that can detect suspicious activity and alert the IT team of possible breaches. Finally, healthcare organizations should consider training their staff on proper cybersecurity protocols to ensure that all employees are aware of the importance of keeping patient data safe. Investing in these types of security measures will reduce the risk of a successful data breach and help protect confidential patient information from falling into the wrong hands.
The bottom line
In conclusion, healthcare organizations should take all necessary steps to ensure the protection of their patient data from potential breaches. This includes investing in security solutions such as encryption and two-factor authentication, setting and enforcing retention schedules, properly destroying sensitive information, and training staff on cybersecurity protocols. By taking these precautionary measures, healthcare providers can significantly reduce the risk of a successful data breach and protect confidential patient information from falling into the wrong hands.
Penetration testing (pen testing) is an effective tool for assessing the security of healthcare systems and networks. Pen testing can help identify weaknesses and vulnerabilities within a system or network, which can then be addressed and fixed to prevent a successful data breach. Additionally, pen tests can also test the effectiveness of existing security measures such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and antivirus software. By conducting regular pen tests, healthcare organizations can ensure that their systems are properly secured and that any potential vulnerabilities are identified and addressed in a timely manner. This will help reduce the risk of a successful data breach and protect confidential patient information from falling into the wrong hands.