As a healthcare organization, patients look to you to provide expert advice regarding their physical well-being. But how often do you examine your own welfare? Or, asked another way, how often do you examine your organization's cybersecurity protocols?
It's sad to say, but many healthcare providers are severely lacking in digital defenses. Truth be told, if your organization is struck by a healthcare breach, you could face serious financial damages - or even bankruptcy!
Ensure your organization is prepared for cyber threats by following these tips from CyberPolicy.
Update Your Organization's Understanding of HIPAA in Cyberspace
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA, outlines data privacy and security provisions regarding patient information; after all, medical records are in high demand on the black market. While these frameworks are already in use, they can lack the most up-to-date responses to ever-evolving cyber threats.
Do your best to comply with and surpass HIPPA through all levels of data storage and file sharing.
Leverage Silos to Protect Vulnerable Information
One of the biggest cybersecurity sins organizations commit is affording open access to all employees. On the one hand, this can make things easier as there are fewer roadblocks to collaboration; but in reality, it means a hacker can breach all your files by simply attacking one staff member.
Instead, try silo-ing sensitive information only to the employees or departments needing access to it. For instance, doctors and nurses need to review patient files, but a receptionist might not. This will limit the damages your organization faces in the event your network is breached.
Protect Your Web-Connected Technologies
The burgeoning Internet of Things has opened a whole new world of opportunities for healthcare providers, including quick data sharing and the ability to anticipate medical events. But that doesn't mean IoT is entirely safe.
The unfortunate truth is web-connected technologies are bereft of even the most basic cybersecurity measures. Horror stories abound, including hackable pacemakers and cybercriminals monitoring wearable devices.
Until these flaws are remedied, it's essential to use IoT technologies sparingly, monitor operations and disclose usage to patients.
Accept Outside Help When Necessary
Of course, monitoring your network is no simple task. While some healthcare providers employ an internal IT team to troubleshoot issues and provide immediate help, some find it necessary to hire additional partners in the fight against cybercrime.
Enlisting a defense agency, cybersecurity consultant or an artificial intelligence solution are among some good ways to shore up your organization's protections.
Host Security Training Session for Employees
If you had to guess, what would you say is the weakest link in the cybersecurity chain? Believe it or not, the answer is your employees.
Train your staff to identify common cyberattacks including social engineering scams, phishing emails, malware downloads and other cons.
Purchase Healthcare Cyber Insurance
While all the tips above can help you stymie cyberattacks and data breaches, there is nothing more vital than setting up a safety net in case things get out of hand. Healthcare cyber insurance mitigates the financial damages associated with these issues, so you don't have to face them alone.
Do the right thing; visit CyberPolicy for your free cyber insurance quote today!
