Learn how cybersecurity really works in the healthcare industry
This article will take the reader through how cybersecurity really works in the healthcare industry. We will also explore the role of healthcare IT professionals in building a cyber-resilient environment, how healthcare IT professionals are seen as cybercriminals by some and why this is wrong, the future of cybersecurity in healthcare, and much more. We will begin by examining the role of cybersecurity in healthcare.
How Cybersecurity Really Works in Healthcare
Cybersecurity in healthcare is the prevention of unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction of information/data. In addition, the goal of cybersecurity is to protect the confidentiality and integrity of information/data from unauthorized access and prevent breaches in security.
For example, there are two pieces to cybersecurity in healthcare:
1) Cybersecurity which refers to the protection of information/data from unauthorized users and also 2) Data security which refers to the protection of information/data from authorized users.
Cybersecurity in Healthcare: Purpose & Benefits
The purpose of cybersecurity in healthcare is to secure all clinical data both at rest and in transit. And since data is king in healthcare, we must ensure that all data is safe from cybercriminals. So by protecting our data, we can better serve our patients and achieve better clinical outcomes.
More so, healthcare IT professionals are responsible for implementing the necessary policies, procedures, and controls to protect healthcare data from unauthorized users.
Cybersecurity in Healthcare: Cyber Threats & Risks
There are three main cyber threats that healthcare IT professionals must take into account when securing data, for instance:
1) Cybercriminals
2) Human error
3) Natural disasters
Cybercriminals
Cybercriminals represent the biggest threat to cybersecurity in healthcare. They can steal or modify data, implant malware on our systems, disrupt the functioning of our computer systems, and spread viruses amongst other things. They are usually motivated by money and use hacking techniques to attack systems and steal information.
Human error
The second biggest threat to cybersecurity in healthcare is human error. The problem is that many healthcare IT professionals are not trained in cybersecurity which makes them prone to making mistakes such as using weak passwords, leaving their computers unlocked, or not installing security updates, which puts the entire organization at risk.
Natural disasters
The third cybersecurity threat is natural disasters since hospitals are usually located near water sources or areas prone to natural disasters which can affect our backup power supply.
What the Healthcare Industry Can Do
There are several things that the healthcare industry can do to prevent cyber-attacks:
1) Educate staff on cybersecurity
2) Invest in cybersecurity tools
3) Monitor cybersecurity
4) Accept the fact that breaches will happen and plan for it
5) Use encryption
6) Have a plan for data backup and recovery in the event of a breach
7) Have a plan for communicating with patients when security incidents occur
8) Invest in training and testing staff on security best practices.
Conclusion
Cybersecurity is a serious issue in healthcare and healthcare IT professionals play an important role in protecting healthcare data from both internal and external threats. So they must ensure that they build a cyber-resilient healthcare environment.
