It’s National Cyber Security Awareness Month, and ITC wants to help your business by providing useful safety tips and tricks. Last week, we discussed why hackers love attacking small businesses. This week, we’re focused on healthcare and the importance of keeping patient data secure.
If you run a healthcare office, you understand the importance of keeping patient information private. It’s why we place such a high value on remaining HIPAA compliant. Thus, you must take every precaution to make sure nothing can threaten that information.
Experts predict that healthcare data will be the next major area targeted in cyber-attacks. A recent report found that healthcare data is worth 10 times more than a credit card number on the black market. Additionally, it stated that 1/3 of all healthcare customers in the U.S. will have their records breached this year alone.
This is why it’s important to not only focus on physical health but cyber health as well.
How to Protect Your Healthcare Data
- Install Mobile Device Security
Mobile devices have become such an important part of our everyday lives. Often times, we over trust them to hold our private information. This is why HIPAA requires mobile device security- to safeguard your patient’s information. - Encrypt Healthcare Data
Protect your office by encrypting everything, both in transit and at rest. If you don’t know, encryption takes readable data and hides it so that someone trying to steal it can’t. This is important in protecting your patient’s data and your office in case something happens. Consult with ITC today so we can assist your office with the encryption process. - Educate Employees
A misunderstanding is that cyber breaches are just an IT issue. Sometimes, breaches occur because of an accidental misstep from an employee. It’s important that office members know how they can do their part to protect important data, too. It’s important to always protect your device to prevent theft and to always remember to log out. Keeping up-to-date with new software and using secure communications solutions are important, too. Plan training to keep everyone on the same page with policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
ITC Can Protect Your Healthcare Data
Roughly 50% of healthcare providers feel prepared to address a cyber threat if one were to occur.
Don’t let your healthcare office get blindsided by an attack. Prepare you and your staff for the sake of your patients.
Let ITC help keep your healthcare data safe today. Remain HIPAA compliant and always be prepared for a cyber-attack with our managed IT services. Click here to begin your free IT assessment, or call us at (512) 348-8324 to get started.