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The security danger to some of the most personal data is shifting as the healthcare business advances with new technology and regulations
Fremont, CA; Healthcare has evolved dramatically in recent years, and the progress that has been made is unimaginable. The Human Genome Project, for example, completed its mapping of human DNA just over a decade ago, and now individuals may conduct affordable at-home genetic testing. Health records used to be kept in thick manila folders, but now many patients use online portals to access their medical histories and test results. Although the amount and accessibility of data are beneficial to patients, it is even more beneficial to hackers.
Challenges in Healthcare Data Security:
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Rising hacktivism
As the CHS Heartbleed attack demonstrated, nothing is safe in the world of data theft. Hackers attained access to personal data — including social security numbers — from roughly 4.5 million patients at Community Health Systems, Inc. (CHS), one of the largest hospital groups in the United States. As an act of "hacktivism," hackers from the Internet vigilante organization Anonymous targeted the Boston Children's Hospital, launching a DDoS attack on the hospital's website. The incident was carried out in retribution for the hospital's refusal to release a patient against her parents' will.
Outdated technology
Running a hospital isn't inexpensive, and when it is focusing on the latest MRI technology or hiring more personnel to meet rising demand, IT budgets might be overlooked. As suppliers withdraw support for their IT systems, including critical security patches, end-of-life (EOL) software and infrastructure pose a risk to healthcare data security. While biting the bullet and buying a new server can be costly, it's far less expensive than dealing with the outcomes of a data breach. Healthcare practitioners around the country are debating how to incorporate cutting-edge technology into their operations without violating HIPAA or putting patients at risk.
User error
Another healthcare data security danger of EHRs is an easy patient-user error. Their medical privacy is in their own hands once they access their lab work through their provider's portal. Patients who store their data in unencrypted cloud folders or transmit their results to someone via email, make it easy for a hacker to gain access to their most personal information. While HIPAA regulations apply to providers, patients aren't always as cautious. Patients must ensure that they are following best practices for healthcare data security.
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