Cybersecurity is a growing challenge for health care organizations responsible for protecting patient records’ confidentiality, integrity and availability. Cybersecurity breaches can expose patients’ sensitive information to identity theft and fraud. Though health care organizations comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), this is not enough.
As such, we, as imaging leaders, must be aware of potential vulnerabilities within our departments to prevent cybersecurity breaches and put patient privacy at risk. It is not just up to the IT department to ensure we maintain cybersecurity initiatives but a collaborative effort where we, as leaders, know about these vulnerabilities and are vigilant.
Why should imaging leaders care about cybersecurity?
With the increasing pace at which health care organizations are adopting technology and moving toward a paperless environment, there is an increased need for the security of patient data within our organizations. Cybersecurity challenges increase daily as the number of connected medical devices and networked imaging devices is rising.
Hacking is a growing concern for health care organizations due to the high value of health data. Hackers can interfere with the confidentiality, integrity and availability of sensitive records by attempting to gain access to computer systems and intercepting data. Health records contain information that can lead to extortion, identity theft and financial fraud.
Most important asset
We all have a role in protecting our most valuable asset: patient, organization and employee data. The value of health information has increased with the use of technology, which has resulted in an increased frequency of hacking attacks. It’s essential to protect the data you and your patient trust. The last thing you want is your medical information to fall into the wrong hands.
The majority of cyber breaches can be attributed to human error. This could include using unencrypted storage media, careless handling of sensitive information or poor security training practices. This is why it’s essential to know how to spot the warning signs for you as a leader.
Employee errors lead to cyber breaches
Free-standing imaging centers, as well as hospitals, need to take steps to protect their facilities. Most cyber breaches are from employee errors and not from external hacking. Employees are the most significant security risk and often don’t know it. Employees are the gateway to a company’s cyber violations due to a lack of education, a fear of the process or simply because they’re unaware that they could have complete control over an organization’s online presence.
From using insecure email, and failing to update software and hardware, to not using secure passwords, employees can pose a serious security threat if they make common mistakes. While there isn’t a foolproof way of preventing employees from making mistakes, steps can be taken to limit their impact so that your organization does not suffer a significant loss due to a cyberattack.
Manipulation of the employee’s psyche
Cybercriminals are increasing their efforts to target company employees, who fall victim to cyber threats at an alarming rate. Thieves are improving at creating convincing phishing emails that look like they’ve come from a business or official website.
Some hackers are in it for the money. Others launch their attacks in response to personal grudges and feuds. Even the smartest and best-funded corporations are falling victim, so it’s time to take action and ensure your patients have access to the records they need and trust you with their care. No matter how secure your enterprise is, employee carelessness can be costly.
If you now realize the danger and prevalence of insider threats within your organization, check out the upcoming Director’s Cut, “Strategies to Mitigate Insider Threats,” to show them your trump card.
Nicole Dhanraj, Ph.D., SHRM-SCP, PMP, GPHR, CPSS, CRA, R.T(R)(CT)(MR), is a radiology systems director for Northern Arizona Healthcare.
