Methods To Monitor Cyber Security

Cyber security continues to be a huge and important concern for healthcare providers. Among the major challenges that providers face is working with the internal database and patient portals simultaneously. There is the matter of serving patients while doing everything possible to protect highly confidential personal and medical data.

One of the big concerns is how the two categories often connect, which could create a clearer path for hackers and attackers. There are situations in which an added layer of security would make it more difficult for insiders and outsiders to potentially access data they should not. 

Unfortunately, we continue to experience some healthcare providers operating without thorough control over how their databases are monitored and processed. Some providers are not even able to fully track access, which takes away from protection. For example, there are situations where multiple employees (including managers and executives) have access to multiple databases. Worse yet, some providers allow outside vendors to access part or all of their system. Doing so can be a high price to pay for convenience. 

Some providers are not even able to fully track access, which takes away from protection.

Protecting and maintaining customer and medical data are two different and important matters. Providers need to understand those differences in order to properly and thoroughly plan and process. Strategies and solutions can be as simple as adding to job requirements of IT or maintenance personnel. Our team has developed a series of strategies for our healthcare clients.

Protecting and maintaining customer and medical data are two different and important matters

For example, constant but inconsistent changing of internal passwords typically greatly improves control over who has access. Instead of automating the “Forgot My Password” process, there could be a requirement to email or contact a specific internal team member with your request. Doing so allows your manager to know that “Company A” needs to access your system again today. He or she could easily request verification that both the person and company are still authorized to access, even if they do so every day.

Strategies like these are often not very costly or time consuming, but can result in major savings from a financial and reputation standpoint. Schedule a strategy consultation today!

Strategies like these are often not very costly or time consuming, but can result in major savings from a financial and reputation standpoint.