Cybersecurity in Healthcare: Protecting Patient Data & Compliance

Protecting healthcare data is a complex task that goes beyond mere compliance. Healthcare providers and their business associates face the challenge of safeguarding patient privacy while delivering quality care and adhering to strict regulatory requirements such as HIPAA and GDPR. With protected health information (PHI) being highly sensitive and valuable to criminals, healthcare organizations must implement stringent data protection measures to avoid severe penalties and fines. This article provides essential tips for protecting healthcare data against today’s threats and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. 

Educate Healthcare Staff:

One of the biggest threats to healthcare data security is human error or negligence. Therefore, it is crucial to provide comprehensive security awareness training to healthcare employees. By equipping them with the necessary knowledge and best practices, healthcare organizations can mitigate risks and promote responsible handling of patient data. 

Restrict Access to Data and Applications:

Implementing access controls helps strengthen healthcare data protection by limiting access to patient information and specific applications to authorized users only. User authentication, including multi-factor authentication, should be employed to ensure that only authorized individuals can access sensitive data. Multi-factor authentication involves using two or more validation methods, such as passwords, cards, keys, or biometrics, to authenticate user identity. 

Implement Data Usage Controls:

Data usage controls are essential for flagging or blocking risky or malicious data activity in real time. Healthcare organizations can utilize data controls to prevent unauthorized actions involving sensitive data, such as web uploads, unauthorized email sends, copying to external drives, or printing. Data discovery and classification play a critical role in this process by identifying and tagging sensitive data for appropriate protection. 

Log and Monitor Use:

Logging all access and usage data is crucial for monitoring user activities and identifying potential security breaches. Organizations should maintain logs that record which users are accessing what information, applications, and resources, along with details such as device and location. These logs facilitate auditing, incident investigation, and strengthening of security measures when necessary. 

Encrypt Data at Rest and in Transit:

Encryption is an essential method for protecting healthcare data. By encrypting data both at rest and in transit, healthcare providers and business associates can make it difficult, if not impossible, for attackers to decipher patient information even if they gain unauthorized access. Although HIPAA does not explicitly require data encryption, it recommends healthcare organizations determine appropriate encryption methods based on their workflow and security needs. 

Secure Mobile Devices:

Mobile devices play a significant role in healthcare operations and securing them is crucial to maintaining data integrity and privacy. Healthcare organizations should implement a range of security measures for mobile devices, including managing device settings and configurations, enforcing strong passwords, enabling remote wipe and lock capabilities for lost or stolen devices, encrypting application data, monitoring email accounts and attachments, educating users on security best practices, implementing whitelisting policies, and ensuring devices are updated with the latest security patches. 

Mitigate Connected Device Risks:

The Internet of Things (IoT) has introduced various connected devices into the healthcare industry, creating additional security risks. Healthcare organizations should maintain separate networks for IoT devices, continuously monitor these networks for unusual activity, disable non-essential services on devices, use strong authentication methods, and keep all connected devices up to date with patches and security updates. 

Conduct Regular Risk Assessments:

Proactive risk assessment is crucial for identifying vulnerabilities, weaknesses, and areas of concern in a healthcare organization’s security practices. By regularly assessing risks, organizations can take preventive measures, address security gaps, and enhance their overall security posture. Risk assessments should cover areas such as employee education, vendor and business associate security practices, and potential vulnerabilities within the organization’s infrastructure. 

Back up Data to a Secure, Offsite Location:

Data backups are essential for ensuring data availability and integrity. Healthcare organizations should regularly back up their data to secure, offsite locations. These backups should incorporate strong encryption, strict access controls, and other best practices to protect the integrity and confidentiality of the backed-up data. Offsite data backups also play a vital role in disaster recovery planning. 

Carefully Evaluate the Security and Compliance Posture of Business Associates:

Healthcare organizations often collaborate with various business associates and vendors who handle sensitive patient data. Evaluating the security and compliance practices of these entities is crucial to maintaining data protection standards. The HIPAA Omnibus Rule clarifies the definition of business associates and their responsibilities. It is essential to ensure that all vendors and business associates adhere to robust healthcare data protection measures and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements. 

Ensuring the security of healthcare data requires a holistic approach. To protect sensitive information effectively, partnering with experienced cybersecurity professionals is essential. Companies like TerraEagle can offer expert assistance in navigating the evolving threat landscape. By implementing their cutting-edge solutions, healthcare organizations can strengthen their data security, comply with regulations, and build trust with their clients. Safeguard your healthcare data with the help of trusted partners like TerraEagle.