How New Technologies Present Risk to PHI

New digital technologies make it easier to provide better outcomes of patient care, but at the same time, they present risk to PHI. The healthcare sector always faces plenty of cybersecurity challenges and threats. There are thousands of patients in hospitals, who become prime targets for hackers. It makes hospital leaders concerned about cybersecurity in their organizations.

The increased use of IT in healthcare certainly has provided an avalanche of benefits. It ensures better communication between doctors and patients and automation of manual tasks. IT and digitization have also allowed patients to make better and easier decisions about their care. Patients have greater access to information about their health through EHRs and patient portals. In addition, healthcare digitalization reduces inefficiencies and lower healthcare costs. It enhances care quality providing more personalized medicine for patients.

However, there are many types of cyberattacks, which make a significant impact on healthcare security. It includes phishing, malware, ransomware, theft of patient data, insider threats, and hacked devices. A hacker entices users to click on a link and stole secret personal information. Various software may come in the form of a virus, a Trojan horse, spyware, and adware. They can damage a computer, a network, or another connected system. There is a type of malware that uses encryption to block access systems or threaten to publish user data unless a ransom is paid.

PHI Value for Hackers

There are some weighty reasons for cyberattacks issue. Firstly, PHI (protected health information) is extremely valuable on the darknet for identity thieves. It includes credit card data, social security and driver’s license numbers, and full facial photos. Providers hold an avalanche of information on their patients that can be easily used to commit financial fraud. Hackers often impersonate an individual in an attempt to receive reimbursement for healthcare services.

Secondly, there are still a technological risk to PHI and a lack of users` awareness. Human error is one of the most common causes of HIPAA violations. In fact, it accounted for 33% of healthcare breaches in 2020 alone. If employees are not aware of secure using their devices and software, they may come across significant risks to their organization. For example, about 60% of people admit to regularly reusing passwords across multiple sites, which enables hackers to infiltrate multiple accounts with one stolen password. Proper security contains several layers, including adequate training and technology, to meet HIPAA compliance guidelines.

Insider misuse may sometimes become the form of theft of patient data for financial gain or malicious intent. For example, the most common misuse issues are unwarranted access to data not related to the delivery of care and overriding security protocols to make a job easier. Hackers from a location outside of a healthcare organization might use patients’ personal information to submit fraudulent claims to health insurers. They can also include hackers forcing healthcare organizations to pay a ransom in return for restoring patient data systems.

Risk to PHI

Steps to Reduce Risk to PHI

If you run a healthcare business, do not forget about implementing cybersecurity technology. Certainly, becoming HIPAA compliant is the best way to protect your organization against hacker intervention. You should implement proven cybersecurity software as well as update it to the latest version. Limiting access to those who need can reduce and even avoid data breaches. Moreover, it is important to conduct a security risk assessment (SRA) on an annual basis as you identify the weak points in a network.

Users who have access to key systems willingly or mistakenly put them at risk. Employees, former employees, or vendors can cause damage to an organization`s cybersecurity. Many devices are connected to each other thanks to the internet. It is not a big deal for hackers to recognize weak points in these connections and access systems with personal patient data. Ignoring the risk is a real threat of PHI data breach. It can play a big role in reducing risks to PHI if your staff is well trained in cybersecurity protection. They will not click on a link in an email from an unverified source or simply update passwords on a regular basis. Limiting access to those who need can reduce and even avoid data breaches.

According to the latest surveys, there are more than 2,200 cyberattacks a day. The actions below can improve an organization’s cybersecurity defenses and minimize security breaches in healthcare. Nevertheless, providers must have a business continuity plan (BCP) before a data breach happens. A BCP is a process for covered entities to discover and prevent system risks. This recovery plan determines how an organization will operate at a minimal level if a breach were to occur.

Conclusion

Modernizing in the healthcare sector significantly improves its service if you follow cybersecurity rules and have HIPAA compliant software. The advantages of healthcare technology are clear.  Physicians and other medical professionals to improve communication with their patients and other healthcare providers through smartphone apps, telehealth software, and texting. Patients are more proactive in their care thanks to digital health apps and patient portals that allow them to check on test results, schedule appointments, and renew subscriptions. Technology can simultaneously become a nightmare if you left data unprotected.

There are always legacy system vulnerabilities, IT challenges, and security breaches. Healthcare organizations can improve the quality of care and advance the industry. To succeed in this effort, they need to embrace health industry cybersecurity practices, understand the risks of inaction, and create a culture in which healthcare cybersecurity is a top priority.

So, the primary aim of healthcare cybersecurity is to ensure the availability, confidentiality, and integrity of critical patient data, which, if compromised, could put patient lives at risk. Organizations that neglect to enhance their cybersecurity measures will only add to the number of data breaches now and later. By diligently training employees, leveraging email encryption and preparing an attack strategy, organizations can better prepare to address the ever-present threat of cyberattacks and protect their ability to serve their patients.

We will be happy to hear your thoughts

Leave a reply

hipaa-software.com
Logo
Register New Account
Reset Password
Compare items
  • Total (0)
Compare