Three Ways to Strengthen Healthcare Data Security

Healthcare organizations continue to be top targets for ransomware, phishing attacks, and other cybersecurity threats. According to IBM’s 2023 Cost of a Data Breach Report, the average cost of a data breach across industries was $4.45 million—but the average cost of a healthcare data breach was the highest at $10.93 million. Breaches can be a matter of life or death, as inaccurate patient records or prescriptions can have devastating effects. 

How to Prevent Data Breaches in Healthcare

To protect the sensitive data of thousands of patients stored in a document management software (DMS), healthcare professionals must put certain safeguards into place. Here are three important ways to fortify data security in the healthcare field, ensuring compliance with regulations, ensuring safer outcomes, and building trust among employees and patients alike.

Human error is responsible for a significant number of healthcare data breaches. In addition to extensive training on the latest cybersecurity risk management, healthcare professionals can protect sensitive information by implementing granular access controls that only permit those with the correct roles and responsibilities to utilize the data. Whether they’re accessing and sharing sensitive diagnostic results, medical history, credit card information, or other confidential information, it’s essential to keep that data gated.

Using best security practices, and the best document management software, healthcare administrators can define and enforce strict access permissions, conduct regular audits, and immediately revoke access for those who no longer require it. They can adhere to a system of least privilege, giving staff access to just the data necessary for their specific duties. These steps help prevent unauthorized or even unintentional healthcare data breaches. Additionally, administrators can ensure their document management system uses multi-factor authentication (MFA). This method requires multiple forms of identification, like passwords and biometrics, to gain access. The best document management software has these capabilities.

Healthcare organizations can also fortify against data compromise by instituting end-to-end encryption in the best document management software to keep data confidential and secure during transit. Since most documents are sent electronically through emails, telemedicine platforms, or data transfers between healthcare facilities, end-to-end encryption is a necessary block, employing cryptographic techniques to protect patient confidentiality and mitigate the risk of interception by malicious actors. 

Just as important as the technology are the teams. Healthcare staff should be continually trained to use only encrypted communication channels for sensitive information. Another way to manage this is through secure messaging platforms and virtual private networks (VPNs), designed to uphold the integrity and privacy of patient information. These cybersecurity risk management safeguards provide critical protections.

Since threats continually evolve, it’s important to continually educate personnel about the latest cybersecurity threats and best practices, especially the risks associated with phishing attacks, malware, and other common forms of cybersecurity threats. It’s also critical to cover password hygiene since many healthcare data breaches occur through poor use and handling of passwords. Finally, personnel need to be empowered to report suspicious activities immediately, since time is of the essence. If there is an incident, they should know the correct response protocols to help minimize its impact.

To mitigate risk within the DMS technology, IT teams can conduct regular security audits, both internal and external, to detect any vulnerabilities, assess the effectiveness of existing security measures, and provide recommendations for improvements. Those involved in the day-to-day use of a DMS have an especially important voice in recognizing areas of concern. Staying on top of threats at all levels is crucial in knowing how to prevent data breaches in healthcare. 

Related: Understanding the Types of Data Breaches in Healthcare Systems.

Take Your Cyber Security Risk Management to the Next Level

Security threats continue to proliferate, and the healthcare industry must be prepared to meet these cybersecurity risk management challenges head on. By deploying the best document management software, like DigiDoc, with robust access controls, end-to-end encryption, and regular security audits and training, healthcare administrators and their teams help fortify data security within a DMS for the entire organization. Not only will this help the organization stay compliant and provide optimal healthcare, but will build trust among employees and patients, creating a better, more resilient, and secure healthcare system for all.