Healthcare Data Security: A Brief Overview of Challenges and Safety Measures

October 17, 2022

October 17, 2022

Abhishek Singh

Healthcare Data Security: A Brief Overview of Challenges and Safety Measures

Every organization always has a high priority on data security, no matter which field you consider. And, data security is a crucial component of the healthcare sector too. It is important to protect sensitive patient data and adhere to rules like those imposed by HIPAA. Healthcare is continuing to delve deeply into technology along with its many facets, including big data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. As a result, how we use and secure that data becomes more important. Security and confidentiality of healthcare data are therefore essential in the healthcare environment.     

Protected health information always has an important value. And the healthcare sector continues to be the most frequently targeted area in terms of cyberattacks (PHI). Today, laptops and tablets are used by nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals to access, update, and record patient data.

Data may also be exchanged across various healthcare facilities and providers. To help lower the risks of malicious data attacks or technical failure, stronger healthcare data security solutions are required. We must make sure that the data is protected both internally and externally.  

Cyberattacks put patients' health and safety, as well as the security of systems, at risk. The difficulties and dangers to the security of healthcare data will be covered in this blog. We will discuss the best methods for protecting crucial patient data as well as corporate data.     

What is healthcare data security? 

 Hackers trying to steal personal information and perpetrate medical fraud target healthcare businesses. Healthcare data security ensures that this information is shielded from inadvertent destruction. The protection guarantee also covers any unauthorized access. And it also covers destruction of personal data as well as other unlawful healthcare information security violations.    

Healthcare businesses must therefore carefully identify the probable root causes of data breaches. They should create effective security solutions that take both internal and external risk factors into account. Therefore, it is important to maintain compliance and prevent additional costs associated with data breaches.

This includes lost business and reputational loss, and more. So, healthcare services must have a robust data security plan that safeguards sensitive information from both internal and external threats.     

Also, read: Healthcare CRM: Features, Benefits, FAQs, and Integrations 

Why is the security of healthcare data important?    

The healthcare sector has access to a wealth of sensitive data. This makes it a target. Plus, there are many healthcare companies utilize networks that are antiquated or poorly secured.     

These healthcare organizations' networks include a lot of private information, this can include important patient records. These records may contain details such as social security numbers, credit card numbers, insurance information, and information on medical diagnoses.

Digital files, databases, fingerprint records, and DNA samples all contain information on differential privacy. In the healthcare industry, valuable financial information about the patient is also kept on file. The healthcare database also contains personal contact information like phone numbers, emails, and addresses.     

Hackers find this information highly lucrative. Since they can either sell this information on the dark web. They can even use it to commit financial or identity fraud, or demand a ransom to safely return it.     

A cyber assault could take down a healthcare organization's network, which could have a significant effect on how business is conducted. A healthcare institution whose network goes down may have to stop patient visits, surgeries, and other medical treatments. If this case is compared to other businesses, they may result in halting administrative and sales operations.     

Hospitals that accommodate patients who are dangerously ill and in need of rapid care may be particularly negatively impacted by this. Therefore, healthcare data security becomes a key issue and is crucial as cyberattacks on healthcare businesses rise.     

Also, read: Salesforce as a Healthcare CRM: Reasons Why Healthcare Providers Should Use It

Healthcare Data Security Challenges     

The security danger to our most confidential data is shifting as the healthcare sector adapts to modern technologies and legislation. The following are some of the most critical challenges with healthcare data security in the modern digital era:     

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1) User error in technology adoption

Patient user error is another threat to the security of healthcare data posed by EHRs (Electronic Health Record). Your most confidential information is easily accessible to hackers if you keep your data in unencrypted cloud folders. Or, if you communicate your results to any of your friends or family via email.

Therefore, you must ensure that you are adhering to best practices for healthcare data security. Storing information responsibly and, whenever possible, encrypting it strongly, especially in email.     

2) Hackers   

Healthcare hacking is a major issue for both private businesses and government agencies. To obtain confidential information about some patients or doctors, hackers break into the system.

Anyone with even the most fundamental operating abilities now can engage in healthcare hacking because of the dark web. Even a highly skilled high-level hacker is no longer necessary.

Simply sign up for services that let you hack and learn more about these kinds of businesses.     

Then hackers utilize this data for slander or blackmail. Additionally, hackers may sell the data to marketers or utilize it for their gain. Hackers who compromise the security of health information often deploy specialized malware that further obstructs the platform's normal operation.     

3) E-health records and health information exchange     

Data thieves are attracted to a network that maintains a lot of medical data that is shared across several providers. The ability to access someone's medical history. This earlier required breaking into a doctor's office and physically searching through the paperwork. But now all you need is a lack of moral scruple and some hacking knowledge.     

Even one patient's record may include a social security number, or medical history. Sometimes a hacker can also benefit from knowing payment insurance details, which are included in the record.     

EHRs are so difficult to secure even though they are extremely helpful in the healthcare industry. Therefore, using encryption can be the answer to this problem.     

4) Obsolete technology in hospitals     

A system that is out of support means that the provider will not fix any security flaws. Attackers will therefore target legacy systems. Any security holes found will be present for the duration of the system's functioning. If you do not replace them right away, the hospital's entire operation could be put on hold.     

Healthcare professionals throughout the country are struggling with how to integrate innovative technologies into their operations without breaking HIPAA or endangering patients. Data encryption is one defense against this growing threat.     

5) Mobile Applications     

The most popular mobile devices used in healthcare settings are tablets and smartphones. Many of these threats are handled by the patient. For users who do not see the value of security precautions like multi-factor authentication. This also includes staying away from public Wi-Fi could expose their medical data to risk. To prevent this behavior, app developers and companies that utilize them must encrypt their apps.     

6) Insider threats   

When thinking about data security issues, businesses frequently overlook potential insider threats within their organization. These incidents, which are equally as dangerous as outside threats, have been more frequent recently in the healthcare industry.

For example - there is a possibility that some disgruntled employees will decide to steal confidential data. Or they can also cause network disruptions to harm availability.     

Other examples of insider abuse include curiosity, which involves unauthorized access to information unrelated to the provision of healthcare, and convenience. This entails circumventing security measures to facilitate work. A cybersecurity attack or data breach can be carried out by an insider. This can give access, privileges, or sensitive information to a third party.        

Also, read: Top Benefits of Using Dynamics 365 Business Central for the Healthcare Industry

Healthcare data security standards

Healthcare providers, technology suppliers, and other parties in charge of managing patient data are in charge of extremely sensitive information. Health data managers must ensure that the information they handle is secure against hacking, negligence, or unintentional unauthorized access.     

Depending on the nation or state you are in, different rules for security standards apply. Two popular sets of rules are HIPAA (applicable in the United States) and ISO 27001 (applicable globally).      

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1) HIPAA    

The Healthcare Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, was enacted into law in the year 1996. This was to enhance the accountability and portability of health insurance coverage. Anyone who wants to develop a health-related application for the US market must comply with HIPAA protections. The goal is to protect the privacy of users' medical records.     

The four regulations that make up the HIPAA Privacy and Security rules specify a set of security requirements that "covered entities" must follow.     

1. HIPAA Privacy Rule  
2. HIPAA Security Rule  
3. HIPAA Enforcement Rule  
4. HIPAA Breach Notification Rule     

Not every software needs to adhere to HIPAA rules. However, some platforms permit users to share personal information with their doctors. These big platforms such as Google Fit, and Health Kit must abide by the rules.     

2) HITRUST Common Security Framework    

The HITRUST CSF provides a comprehensive framework that maps to several security standards. This is to satisfy the requirements that ISO, HIPAA, NIST, and PCI give out as guidelines. A private company called HITRUST Alliance is run by executives from some of the biggest brands in healthcare. These brands include Walgreens, Anthem, Humana, and UnitedHealth.     

The organization upholds the Common Security Framework (CSF), a set of information security principles created especially for the healthcare industry.     

3) ISO 27001 / ISO 27799     

The protection of sensitive health information can be addressed using a mix of two standards. First, ISO 27799, a collection of best practices designed specifically for handling health data. Second, ISO 27001, which specifies requirements for information security management systems.     

4) GDPR (EU)

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was adopted in 2018 to coordinate the flow of data between the EU Member States. All health applications that collect the data of EU residents need to be GDPR compliant.

Thus, entrepreneurs must ensure patient data security and privacy in their apps. It is necessary to optimize your services and areas according to the requirements of the GDPR regarding security.        

Also, read: How is AI in Healthcare revolutionizing the Healthcare Industry?

Best practices for safeguarding healthcare data     

Data security has now become one of the most vulnerable aspects of the healthcare industry. This is due to the quick adoption of electronic health record systems (EHR) during the past ten years. Begin with these best methods to proactively secure private health data and adhere to HIPAA compliance requirements:     

1) Regularly carrying out risk assessments    

Finally, healthcare organizations must constantly evaluate potential hazards and, where appropriate, act to reduce those risks. You can avoid data breaches that could wind up costing you large losses and the numerous other negative effects of a breach.

This could also damage your reputation, by assessing risks across your healthcare organization at regular intervals. This entails routinely assessing both individuals and systems.

For example, do present operations meet HIPAA requirements for access and usage, or are further safeguards needed?     

This helps in the selection and application of security measures that are most effective for your healthcare company. 

2) Encrypt data     

Encrypting data as it enters or leaves an organization is currently one of the biggest security concerns for health IT providers. Healthcare organizations are required by HIPAA regulations to encrypt patient electronic health data when it is in transit or at rest.     

Even while healthcare providers are now emphasizing the need to encrypt data in transit. Still most data that is stored carelessly is left unencrypted. Therefore, in the event of an access breach, such data is not secured.     

Hence, data encryption is equally important. As a result, even if potential invaders managed to access the data, they would not be able to decode it. And they will further not be able to share it in any useful way.     

3) Ensuring HIPAA Compliance at Every Stage     

Multiple healthcare organizations around the United States meet severe financial penalties for failing to adhere to the guidelines. All these guidelines are outlined in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).     

You should always keep in mind one fact that is very important. Adhering to HIPAA requires more than just making sure all the data entering and leaving your healthcare company is compliant.

It also suggests that if your hospital has an app, you must ensure that it was created following HIPAA regulations. Therefore, HIPAA laws must be followed by healthcare organizations and their business partners to avoid civil and/or criminal fines.     

4) Strengthen log usage and user authentication     

Adopt controlled access security measures, depending on who is using them, can lock down your printers and restrict access to functionalities. These security measures also regulate how and where documents and photos are kept in a secure location. And you should upgrade the security of your passwords as well.     

Companies must make sure they are aware of who, when, and why is accessing patient data. This means putting in place reliable logging procedures. These procedures keep track of data requests and usage to both spot potential hazards and provide a traceable use.     

5) Secure devices    

The ability to access your healthcare data in the case of a security breach is more important than maintaining a secure backup of it. With the transition to remote work, laptops and mobile devices have gained popularity as patient record access points.

Companies must therefore make sure that these devices are secure. Utilizing virtual private networks (VPNs) to safeguard network connections and lower the possibility of data leakage. You can use this technique to achieve this.     

Another efficient method of making secure backups is to store your data on a separate, HIPAA-compliant cloud server. These backups can only be viewed by authorized users from within your company. Users can view it from any remote place at any time while retaining the highest level of security.    

Also, read: Internet of Medical Things – Top Opportunities to Grow your Healthcare Business

In conclusion     

The secret to keeping your data secure is creating risk-based data security procedures. The healthcare sector still has a long way to go before it is secure. You can improve data security and compliance by identifying and classifying your data. Security can further be improved by comprehending and reducing IT risks while implementing the necessary controls.     

Practices must stay up with the changing healthcare data landscape by routinely assessing the systems, policies, and processes. This makes sure that everything is current and functioning effectively. A lot of this may be handled by investing in the appropriate health practice management and EHR security solutions. Nevertheless, for patient data to remain private and confidential, best practices require practice managers to constantly check security.     

Also, read: Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: The best way to beat the competition in 2021

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)     

   

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