Top Cybersecurity Issues for Healthcare Providers
IT security services are more important than ever for healthcare providers. Due to their abundance and quality of payment and identification data, it’s no wonder that healthcare providers are popular targets for cyber criminals.
As it stands, most healthcare businesses are ill-equipped in regards to cybersecurity, yet there hasn’t been a time when this security has been more critical. It’s important for healthcare providers to prevent and defend against cyberattacks in order to protect their employees, customers, and business.
Healthcare networks and systems contain massive amounts of sensitive data that need professional protection. Data breaches can have an overwhelming and destructive impact on a business of any size. It’s therefore fundamental for healthcare providers to take cybersecurity seriously.
Here are some of the reasons healthcare providers need to have increased cybersecurity measures to be in compliance with HIPAA.
HIPAA Compliance
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) mandates industry-wide standards for healthcare on electronic billing and other processes. One of the main goals of HIPAA is the protection and confidential handling of protected health information (PHI).
Healthcare providers need the very best IT solutions in order to be in compliance with these regulations. Thankfully, IT services can provide healthcare businesses with solutions that are in compliance with HIPAA standards.
These services include application, storage, and networking options. HIPAA compliant IT solutions offer healthcare providers many benefits including secure file sharing, custom applications, and expanded storage.
According to a recent report, 15% of security breaches involved healthcare organizations. It’s essential for healthcare providers to opt for IT providers that understand the sector and what it means to be fully HIPAA compliant.
Weak Passwords
Weak passwords make hacking easy for cybercriminals. In fact, 80% of hacking-related breaches still involve compromised and weak credentials such as overused or weak passwords.
It’s important to employ preventative methods such as multi-factor authentication and to increase restrictions on staff access.
Weak passwords are easily detected and can be used to bring down entire systems. Many hacking attempts are successful because administrators fail to use strong passwords that could have secured their sensitive data. With assistance from a managed services provider, healthcare businesses can protect their data, customers, and employees with advanced, secure systems.
Poor Network Security
Poor network security can lead to hacking, slow internet, and decreased reliability and productivity. Insider misuse, unintentional actions, supply chains, and mobile devices can also decrease network performance. The problem with network security risks is that many flaws aren’t even recognized until it’s too late.
One user’s problem can end up affecting everyone on the network. If even one employee falls victim to a phishing attack or other type of scam, private data could be released and the entire system can become compromised. This could result in data loss, security breaches, and malicious attacks such as hacking and viruses.
A managed service provider that understands HIPAA standards and industry needs is necessary to cope with the security issues healthcare providers face. IT security services can provide unique solutions that support security, reliability, speed, and performance for your healthcare IT system.
Data Storage
Most healthcare providers store unusually large amounts of data for their employees, customers, and other businesses. This data storage should be optimized for the individual business and secured by professionals who regularly backup and update their storage.
Healthcare providers have different data storage options, but the most secure place for that data is the cloud. Cloud data storage solutions cater to more advanced infrastructures and are better-equipped to deal with large amounts of data.
This data often needs to be accessed quickly but in a secure manner, so IT security services are therefore fundamental to healthcare organizations. Healthcare providers need quick, secure, and reliable access to their data, so outdated, poor networks won’t cut it.
An MSP is a solution to security, reliability, and performance issues. If you’re a healthcare provider and would like to find out more about how these services can help your business thrive, talk to your local MSP today.
