When it comes to the healthcare industry, important information like patient’s data, their treatment history, and other details are shared with the healthcare professionals. So, keeping them secure should be a priority of healthcare providing different services. Today, healthcare has become a huge industry. Be it a small or a medium-sized organization: everyone is using healthcare services to offer benefits to patients and professionals. 

Furthermore, digitization is doing wonders for healthcare services. It has made everything simple and more reliable in terms of information. Overall, it is shaping the healthcare industry. Over the years, the healthcare industry has covered clinical services, research and development sectors, and more. But with digitization comes a risk of data exportation. It occurs when a malware carries out an illegal data transfer from a computer. It is reported that since 2000, data theft has increased and has decreased the consumer’s trust. 

Digitization is changing the healthcare standards and improving the patient experience. However, when new technologies are used, there is also a risk of getting attacked by hackers. In healthcare, every member, be it a nurse or doctor, has access to technology-backed systems. Therefore, the data comes at a risk of exfiltration. 

In several data exfiltration, information like data, password, financial information, cryptographic keys, and other details are targeted. But have you ever wondered what could be the reason for targeting healthcare organizations? Let us find it out!

Healthcare is one of the soft targets of cybercriminals. It is believed that the modernization of networks like the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) and merger and acquisitions have attracted cyber attackers. 

In the past year, over two-thirds of vendor organizations have experienced a cyber attack. As of 2018, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights recorded over 350 breaches, resulting in the exposure of over 12 million healthcare records.

Electronic Personal Health Information (ePHI) is associated with the data that holds confidential information about the patient. Also, the medical industry has not prioritized digital security as required. Apart from IoMT and healthcare apps, these healthcare trends would also make a positive impact in the coming years. 

Contrary to credit card data breach, the information recorded in the healthcare services is more valuable. It includes social security numbers, birth dates, illness information, and other important data. Sometimes information against illness is used against corporate and government leaders. Furthermore, medical fraud takes time to detect in comparison to other frauds. 

To improve safety and security: regulations like HIPAA, HITECH, and GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) in Europe have been implemented for organizations using ePHI. The cost is expensive for those who don’t consider health data a priority. The organizations are not prioritizing the patient’s safety and are paying a huge amount to it in the form of data breaching. 

Privileged access security solutions could support the provider’s ability to avoid financial disaster and to keep patient information safe. Healthcare organizations need credentials for administrators to use data and to access the systems that are created by using the latest technologies. 

Today, hospitals and other healthcare organizations are growing at a rapid rate, and providers should focus on protecting highly targeted ePHI. Protecting the patient’s information is the best way to avoid risks that are associated with any theft. 

Right from cloud-based applications to IoT devices to telemedicine, these services have become a soft target for cyber attackers. Everyone, be it a small healthcare service provider like a clinic or a large organization like hospitals, is using healthcare solutions like healthcare apps to enhance their patient’s safety. Cybersecurity is no longer an IT concern; it has become an infrastructure issue too. 

It is also believed that outdated software or sometimes cybersecurity skills shortage welcomes more Ransom attacks. Cyber breaches involve the healthcare industry from around the world. Therefore, every healthcare service provider must ensure that effective security should be implemented in the system. 

Also, they should use the updated software and the latest technologies to keep data secure. No doubt, IT is helping the healthcare industry in several ways and promising a better future. But it is facing several challenges when it comes to cyber-attacks. 

Internet-connected medical things like heart rate monitors and biopsy tables have become an essential part of the healthcare environment. These internet connecting devices show the need for better cybersecurity. Also, medical devices have reduced the number of staff from four to two. Slowly, healthcare leaders are prioritizing privileged access controls to credentials and managing the accounts. 

According to experts, prioritizing privilege is the best way to reduce risks that are associated with any theft. Also, you can educate your staff about data security, encrypt data, and making the best usage of data controls. Here are other key points to note regarding privacy data security in healthcare. 

When it comes to any healthcare services and solution, you should choose a company that could provide the best healthcare services and is also aware of the latest technologies. We at Covetus assure you to deliver the best of services in terms of quality and technology. We offer expertise in a range of medical standards like DICOM, HL7, FHIR, and more.