Advancements in technology and the integration of digital tools have led to numerous transformations in the daily operations of the healthcare industry across the globe. These innovations have not only changed ways of patient care but have also introduced tons of challenges for healthcare service providers striving to keep pace with all the innovations. And the core focus shifted to the main aspect when it comes to medical records – cybersecurity and data protection.
In the article, we discuss the main cybersecurity challenges in healthcare and analyze how these challenges can be addressed in order to not compromise security and yet continue adopting new tech advancements. We also review how technology helps protect personal medical data and what steps organizations make to prevent leaks of sensitive information.
Going for the Right Technological Tools and Solutions
Automation and technology introduced into the operations of an organization can enhance performance and efficiency in healthcare operations. Organizations need solutions that will facilitate their activities by providing 24/7 access to patients’ data from any place. This way they not only reduce travel-related costs but also simplify multiple processes like scheduling an appointment or renewing a medicine receipt. In case patients change their healthcare providers, all their treatment history is available in digital form, and they do not need to collect and carry a ton of papers to another specialist.
With remote access to patient medical information, healthcare professionals improve the level of care provided. For example, a patient requests a home visit from their doctor or makes an emergency call. When the specialist arrives, they can view medical records on their phones or tablets and can make an informed decision regarding the patient’s health on the spot.
Striking a Balance: High-Quality Care and Cybersecurity
Of course, the advantages of remote access come close with potential challenges and risks. Security technologies are necessary to protect personal data from such threats that include malware attacks, denial-of-service cases, unauthorized access by employees with malicious intent, and privacy violations such as Protected Health Information-related (PHI) fraud.
The growing popularization of mobile devices and strong reliance on electronic medical records (EMR) calls for advanced cybersecurity strategies in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities.
Cybersecurity threats in healthcare have evolved greatly, leading to significant risks. The number of instances such as losing access to EMR due to compromised servers, network vulnerabilities based on malware penetration into the system, and potential exposure of personal devices with no encryption protection calls for complex cybersecurity steps.
Poor cybersecurity policies may also cause irreparable damage to multiple parties. Firstly, patients’ PHI is revealed to a third party that may further sell them for whatever purpose. Secondly, healthcare providers face reputational damage and legal responsibility. To strengthen personal data protection, institutions worldwide adopt various laws and regulations to protect healthcare records and personal information from being misused.
Among these regulations is the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), which grants customers control over personal information distribution and use. CCPA mandates data holders reveal the sources of obtaining the PHI and cannot use those data without the person’s consent. The next is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which requires safety precautions for PHI. Additionally, Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies not only to healthcare records but to all personal information. It imposes legal liability on organizations operating within or having access to EU citizens’ data. Regardless of the location of the business, once you get access to the data covered by GDPR, you are liable for their safety.
How Cloud Solutions Help to Ensure Data Security
Cloud services are renowned for their flexibility and adaptability. Yet, they are also becoming common when it comes to healthcare. Despite being cost-saving, cloud solutions also offer a strong level of data protection, data encryption, and distributed storage. Encryption ensures that data stored in the cloud remains inaccessible to unauthorized users, while distributed storage and regular backups mitigate risks associated with the threat of losing access to data due to natural disasters, war, etc.
Of course, integrating cloud technology into existing IT infrastructure can be challenging for many healthcare organizations, since all the processes shall not only be technically but also legally compliant.
Transitioning to a cloud-based infrastructure demands a lot of attention to the security of data. Developers play a pivotal role in this transition by utilizing open-source tools frameworks and programming languages compatible with cloud platforms. Utilizing cloud-based services, platforms, and tools enables the creation of applications seamlessly integrated into the healthcare system’s infrastructure.
Conclusion
Ensuring the security of patient data is vital for successful collaboration between healthcare providers and patients. Organizations should address any doubts about data safety promptly and consider seeking expert advice to enhance their data security policies. By following the regulations like CCPA, HIPPA, GDPR, etc. healthcare entities can easily transition to the use of technologies in their operations and follow cybersecurity policies that guarantee a secure and efficient future for patient care.