The health industry is amongst the most prominent professional fields for holding sensitive data. In recent years, organizations have faced increasing challenges with reports showing the healthcare industry is second only to the government sector when it comes to security breaches and cyber threats.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to protect data and improve cybersecurity.
Here are the five best health industry cybersecurity practices you need to enact in your organization today.
Educate employees
One of the biggest threats to impact all industries across the board is human error. In fact, a recent report from Verizon found that human error accounted for more than a third of healthcare breaches.
Offering employees the best education and training in cybersecurity is the first step in reducing these problematic situations. It aids employees to make the correct decisions, following the best security protocol for handling digital patient records.
This is particularly important when policies are updated so that employees know how to comply with the new safety measures.
Get anti-virus protection
Adopting cutting-edge anti-virus software that is updated regularly is an impactful way to fight against cybercrime.
You could be leaving your system open to theft, destruction, or a complete takeover by cyber attackers without it.
Threats can appear in many disguised forms, from email links to web downloads, easily bringing in viruses, worms, and Trojans from external sources without protection.
Incorporating anti-virus software can be the difference between losing critical information and a reliable protective force against cyberattacks.
Control access to networks and health information
Many people believe that cyber threats come only from external sources; however, cybercrime can occur within the company too.
In fact, the Verizon survey pointed to internal breaches representing 48 percent of the human errors reported within healthcare organizations. Controlling which employees have access to the sensitive data can help reduce threats that could arise within or beyond the company’s four walls.
Set up passwords for your electronic health records and issue them only to those who are authorized to view that particular information.
Networks should also be protected by ensuring that your wireless router is secured, preventing unauthorized access.
Encrypt sensitive data
Encryption acts as a protective shield against unauthorized access to data being shared within your organization.
With so many ways of communicating, such as instant messaging and file sharing, it can be easy for sensitive data to become vulnerable.
By encrypting patient information and emails, you can make it nearly impossible for hackers to decode sensitive data.
Choosing an encryption method can be determined by your organization’s workflow, or you can get recommendations through HIPAA to help find the best solution, providing the best protection for you.
Regularly assess cybersecurity risks
Keep on top of the advancing moves made by modern-day hackers so you can stay one step ahead.
Do your research and regularly assess potential risks and threats, identifying weak points where cybercriminals could take advantage.
These practices could include performing regular configuration, malware, security audits, and vulnerability awareness checks to keep your system safe and secure at all times.
Pay particular attention to updates and settings to keep your eye on the ball with evolving cybersecurity.
Digitization in healthcare comes with many advantages, but it is imperative we keep data safe from cybercriminals.
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