How to Secure Healthcare Data?

Protecting user data has become a major concern in every sector, whether it be banking, healthcare or tech. Here we are sharing some useful tips to help healthcare centers secure the user data.

Protecting Networks

The intruders have a number of ways to hack data and break into the systems of healthcare organizations. For this, the health departments must have IT experts as well as developers and network administrators who can detect any hacking attempts immediately and block access to the data. Moreover, all data of departments should not be interlinked because hacking attempt in one department will expose the whole data. It should be protected and segregated.

Encrypt Devices

Whether it be a portable device, a computer or laptop- the data should have encryptions. The encryptions prevent access to data by the third parties. The data will be safe even if you lose the portable devices. The health department should encrypt all the departmental devices, whether phones, tablets, laptops or USB devices. Furthermore, the employees should be ordered to follow the strict encryption policies.

Secure Wireless Network

Most of the companies nowadays rely on wireless connections. Wi-Fi has become common everywhere. But the wireless networks are more prone to hacking attacks. If they are outdated and have not been updated in terms of security and privacy, they can cause data loss. The healthcare sector should invest in latest wireless technology that are safe as well as prevent hacking attempts.
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Improve Physical Security

Along with improving online security for the networks, devices and data, the health departments should increase the physical security for the data. There are some important records, user data, patient details, and banking information on papers. For such data, security should be tightened and guards should be deployed all the time. Even sometimes, staff within the department try to breach rules and provide data to third parties.

Use Strong Passwords

All the devices under control of healthcare department staff should be protected with strong passwords. No one should have access to the device of other employees. In case of any data loss, that employee should be held accountable. Moreover, wireless connections and Wi-Fi should not be shared with patients and visitors. That should only be accessible to the staff and doctors.

Information Sharing

The staff must be strictly ordered to not share any user or patient related medical data on social sites. These mistakes can prove harmful for the health department. Moreover, the staff should not give access to anyone of their devices that are used for office work. Even the spouse should not know passwords of laptops and other devices.

Update Devices

The old devices usually are more prone to attacks, malware and hacking attempts. The old devices can be updated to latest software and apps but they are often not compatible so their performance is worse. So the healthcare departments should upgrade the devices. Laptops, tablets, phones for office use should be from top brands and must ensure best security and protection of the data. The latest device can prevent data loss with better security and encryption features.

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Modesta Rogahn