Protection of medical data is one of the main issues in cybersecurity. Information about insurance and health status is very important, and therefore it is valuable to fraudsters. Once it was believed that the introduction of electronic medical records was the cause of frequent leaks of personal data from medical institutions. At the moment, this problem is almost completely resolved. The main task of medical centers and clinics is to order high-quality lms development services from trusted companies. What other steps need to be taken to protect the confidential information of patients, we will explore in this article.
How to Protect Medical Data
There are quite a few entry points into the system of patient data, and each of them should be under special attention. Let’s start with the simplest, and unfortunately, the most common source of leaks—the human factor.
Working with the medical institutions’ staff
We will not claim that medical workers with criminal intentions or with the aim of enrichment disclose personal information. The problem mainly lies in the lack of skills in working with such data storage and transmission systems. These are mistakes, and sometimes negligence. Management of companies in the medical field should pay close attention to staff training. System developers should provide such services to their clients. And these are mistakes, and sometimes negligence. Management of companies in the medical field should pay close attention to staff training. System developers should provide such services to their clients.
Limited access to data
An application for a medical institution today is as common as a banking one. But it is precisely this that becomes a weak point in the security system. Anyone can gain access to it and the information. The problem is solved with the help of multi-factor authentication:
- A PIN code or password. Such protection will work only if the information does not become available to third parties;
- An electronic key. His can also be a special card for storing personal data, something that only the user possesses;
- Unique biometric user data. Facial recognition, iris scanning, fingerprint.
Each of these authentication methods individually has a certain degree of vulnerability. But all of them together can restrict access to information for malicious actors to the max.
Access control and monitoring
The organization must ensure control over access to databases by itself. That is, each entry and use of information must be identified. The user who logged into the system and the data they viewed or entered should be identified. Additional protection against copying, emailing information, printing, will provide enhanced security.
Encryption
Encryption is one of the most effective methods to protect information during transmission or storage. Even if a malicious actor somehow gains access to the data, for example, intercepts it during transmission, the information remains secure.
The organization itself should choose the encryption method to make it difficult, or better yet, impossible, to obtain the data.
Reduce the risk of obtaining information from network-connected devices
In a modern medical center, there are hundreds of devices that transmit the results of procedures over a wired or wireless network. These are Internet of Things devices. They too can become entry points for hackers into the system. One way to address this issue is to allocate a separate network for such connections. Devices should only join the network right before use and exit it right after data transmission.
Today, proper data protection for medical institutions is as crucial necessity as qualified staff or modern equipment.
