Key Security Standards for Hospital Software
May 18, 2021Today’s healthcare system heavily relies on technology. These tools, from hospital management software to diagnostic machines, are essential for running healthcare services. However, as technology grows, so do cybercrimes. According to Becker’s Hospital Review, data breaches cost the US healthcare sector about $5.6 billion yearly.
Unauthorized access, malware, and data corruption are major cybersecurity threats. Therefore, healthcare institutions must follow HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) rules for their software and encourage safe data practices to prevent theft.
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Best Healthcare Management Practices to Follow to Ensure High Data Security
Follow these tips to protect your hospital management system from data thefts and breaches. First, train all staff on security rules. Next, use strong passwords and change them regularly. Limit access to sensitive information to only those who need it. Keep your software updated to fix security issues. Finally, check your system often to find any weak spots. By doing these things, you can better protect your hospital’s data.
Educate and Train Staff on Healthcare Cyber Security Protocols
The medical staff and the software user are unquestionably the weakest links in your hospital’s cybersecurity practices. Simple negligence and misuse of the system can significantly impact your overall system.
Hence, ensure that each staff member is thoroughly educated about your organization’s security protocols. Conduct quarterly staff training for security measures so that the staff stays vigilant while working and does not take anything for granted.
Restrict Access to Unauthorized Applications
One of the biggest sources of malware and data leaks from the hospital system is using unauthorized files on the computer system. Many times, staff connect their personal devices to the computer system or visit an unofficial website, which can lead to malware insertion into the system. To ensure safety from such an incident, make sure to install software that restricts the use of unauthorized websites and devices in the hospital’s system.
Must Read: Checklist for Successful Hospital Management Software (HMS) Implementation
Have a Weekly/Monthly Data Monitoring Regime
Higher management must have a strict data monitoring regime to check which users are accessing what applications, information, and other resources in their routine.
These information logs are important for audits. They help find problems and show where to take protective steps. These logs can help find the cause and check the damage if something goes wrong. Furthermore, they can guide steps to fix the issues.
Have a Strong Password Policy
Your hospital information management system must be controlled with strong passwords and should be regularly updated. This will keep the hackers out of your system. Most departments fail to update the passwords of their hardware and users regularly. A hacker, if able to decode one password for the system, can easily access all the data and commit theft. Password protection practices must consist of:
- Use of multiple passwords for multiple systems.
- Use of complicated and tough-to-guess passwords.
- Monthly update of passwords.
- Use of multi-factor authentication.
Limit the Access for Users
Your hospital should use role-based access for any hospital management software. Each doctor, manager, and staff member should have their own username and password for the EHR system and other devices. The benefits include:
- Every user can only access information relevant to them.
- Reduces open password sharing among staff members.
- Maintains logs for each system used, helping prevent data theft and misuse.
Have an Antivirus Software Installed in Your Computers
Attackers often target healthcare computers with viruses and trojans. That’s why it’s important to have antivirus software to guard against harmful code that could cause data leaks.
Also, always keep your antivirus software updated. Set a plan with your vendor to check and update it on all hospital systems each year.
Do Not Ignore Software Updates
Staff often ignore software update notices because they are busy. However, you should never skip important updates, no matter how hectic your schedule is. Doing so keeps your system safe and running smoothly.
These updates generally include security patches that can protect your system from the latest security threats. Therefore, keep all your system and hospital software up to date and stay protected from malware.
Conduct Regular Risk Assessment
You’ve likely heard the saying, “Prevention is better than cure.” This is true for healthcare security too. By doing regular risk checks, you can spot issues like:
- Gaps in training for medical staff.
- Weak security from business partners and vendors.
- Weaknesses in the healthcare organization’s security.
By checking these risks regularly and fixing them, you can prevent data breaches and their harmful effects.
Backup Data to an Offsite Location
Healthcare data is very important. You must do everything to keep it safe and secure. Without backup, your data can be lost in a disaster and be threatened by cyberattacks.
Always keep a backup of all data at a different location. Cloud storage is an excellent way to do this. Also, make sure the data is fully encrypted. Limit access to authorized personnel only.
Conclusion
Cybersecurity is critical in healthcare. Therefore, using good management practices will help protect data from cyber theft. In addition, always follow proper security protocols and train your staff for a safe healthcare business. By doing so, you will create a safer environment for patient data.