Breach of medical records is not new. Increased incidents of breach in the healthcare system require stringent protection of the systems and data.
The healthcare sector in the US has been under cyber attacks since digital care came into the spotlight due to COVID-19. With all the sensitive data being collected and stored on cloud-based services and the increased reliance on telehealth, the healthcare industry has become a prime target for cyber attacks.
We’ve listed below 3 tips you can follow to ensure your urgent care data is secure and safe from attackers.
- Protect Mobile Devices
The use of devices such as smartphones, laptops, and portable storage media are leading to increased opportunities to breach Electronic Health Records (EHRs) as records are no longer being managed via desktops. Threats to information privacy and security are constantly on the rise.
Due to the mobility of such devices they are prone to theft and being misplaced or lost. They can be easily used in almost all places where the electronic health information being displayed can very likely fall prey to unauthorized viewing. It is easy to corrupt information stored on mobile devices when they are exposed to electromagnetic interference. Also, devices such as smartphones and laptops do not have strong authentication and access controls.
It is not possible to stop electronic health information from being accessed by mobile devices, but cybersecurity experts recommend that only those mobile devices be used that support data encryption.
Your goal is to protect and keep safe all your patients’ information without making it difficult to access it. Strict privacy and security practices if followed at the urgent care billing center can curb data breaches to a large extent.
- Use Strong Passwords and Restrict Physical Access
While it’s true that a password will not really deter attackers from gaining access to your data systems, a strong password can sure slow them down. Passwords if used adequately discourage attackers to forcibly access systems. But attackers use automated methods that try and guess passwords. That is why it is important to choose only strong passwords and keep changing them regularly.
It is common for users to forget passwords. One effective way to handle this is by providing users with a reset option. This way they are not forced to write down their passwords and data remains safe.
Along with using difficult passwords and strong authentication, the EHR system must also be safe from unauthorized access. Only selected and authorized individuals should be allowed access to the health record system.
It is essential that physical access to storage media is controlled along with securing access to files and information. EHR information is usually compromised via missing and lost devices. This includes portable storage media. Another way to deter attackers is by limiting the chances that a device may be tampered with.
- Be Prepared For the Unexpected
Since natural or man-made disasters such as flood, fire, hurricane, earthquake, etc., can strike at any time, it is important that healthcare records and other sensitive data are protected. Loss of records and vital data can be prevented by creating backups routinely. Another way of saving records and data from permanent damage is by having a sound recovery plan in place.
Do not wait for a crash to happen. Ensure the EHR in your urgent care center is being regularly and reliably backed up. It is important that data is captured and stored correctly for it to be accurately and quickly restored. Mock runs can be done to test how fast and precisely the backup data can be restored.
What is important also is to store all backup data safely and securely so it cannot be wiped out permanently due to some disaster. This means storing data miles away from the center of its source. One such backup storage option is cloud computing.
During a disaster it is the healthcare practices that are first called upon to help with medical records and information. That is why it is important that access to backups is in place and data is restored in an appropriate manner.
Partner With GMB for Effective Security Solutions
We understand how challenging it can get for your urgent care center to provide top-class patient care and also ensure their data remains safe and secure. When you partner with GMB we offer solutions and strategies that prevent your patient health records from being tampered, stolen, or lost.
We work for you so you can focus on your patients. Call 786-725-2120; 655-469-1422 and speak to our specialists to find out how you can partner with GMB and get the best urgent care billing services today.
