Why is Protecting Patient Privacy Important?

Patient privacy and data security are paramount in the healthcare industry. EHRs contain sensitive information that includes everything from medical history to personal identifiers, making them a prime target for cybercriminals. A breach in network security can lead to devastating consequences such as identity theft. Furthermore, maintaining patient trust is foundational to the doctor-patient relationship, and compromised security can erode that trust.

Why is Healthcare a Common Target for Threat Actors?

The healthcare industry is an attractive target for cyberattacks due to the value of the data it holds and the potential impact of disrupting healthcare services. Ransomware attacks and phishing attempts have become increasingly common. Attackers may exploit vulnerabilities in:

• Outdated software
• Weak passwords
• Unsecured medical devices

Our Recommended Network Security Strategies for the Health Industry

1. Encryption: Utilizing encryption for data, both at rest and in transit, can thwart unauthorized access. Encryption converts sensitive data into unreadable code. This is done to ensure that even if a breach occurs, the stolen data remains indecipherable to hackers.
2. Multi-factor Authentication (MFA): Implementing MFA adds an extra layer of security. This method requires users to provide multiple forms of verification before accessing systems or data. This reduces the risk of unauthorized access in case passwords are compromised.
3. Regular Software Updates and Patch Management: Outdated software is a prime target for cyberattacks. Regularly updating and patching operating systems and medical devices minimizes vulnerabilities that attackers could exploit.
4. Firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): These tools monitor network traffic and detect unusual or suspicious activities. Firewalls establish a barrier between a trusted internal network and untrusted external networks, while IDS alerts administrators to potential security breaches.
5. Employee Training and Awareness: Human error is the most common contributor causing 88% of security breaches. Educating employees about social engineering tactics and best practices for data handling can significantly reduce the risk of successful attacks.
6. Vendor Security Assessment: For healthcare organizations that rely on third-party vendors for services or software, conducting thorough security assessments is crucial. Ensuring that vendors adhere to stringent security standards helps safeguard patient data.
7. Incident Response Plan: Having a well-defined incident response plan in place can minimize damage in the event of a security breach. Rapid and coordinated action can help mitigate the impact of an attack and prevent further compromise.

Network security in the healthcare industry is not merely a technical concern; it directly impacts patient well-being and the integrity of healthcare services. As technology continues to shape the future of healthcare, the importance of a secure network cannot be overstated. By implementing encryption, multi-factor authentication, regular updates, and comprehensive employee training, healthcare organizations can create a strong defense against cyber threats. In an environment where information is sensitive, prioritizing network security is a non-negotiable step towards ensuring a more secure digital healthcare ecosystem.

The post The Healthcare Industry and Protecting it Against Threat Actors appeared first on Wowrack Blog.

Proactive Protection

How many times do you think “I’ll get to it later” throughout the week? Chances are good that when you use that phrase, you’re referring to some kind of maintenance item that is seen as a low priority. You know that you should stay on top of your updates, but you have so many other things to do. A managed security service (MSS) provides automatic updates to your security system so that you don’t have to think about it. Furthermore, your MSS will constantly monitor your company’s infrastructure security. When potential new threats emerge, your MSS will double down on security and employ strategies to keep your data safe. And they won’t “get to it later.” They’ll start right now.

Convenience

While your MSS takes care of your security, you get to focus on all the other business aspects that need your attention. Furthermore, you can give those aspects your full attention. You won’t have worries about data security taking up space in the back of your mind. Instead of hiring a full team of security experts, you can use managed security as a one-stop-shop for all of your protection needs. While you’re saving time on managing a security force, you’ll also save time on everything else that comes with managing security. You won’t have to deploy, scale, or monitor your data security. Your MSS team will take care of everything for you.

Long-Term Cost Reduction

Managed security is an upfront investment that leads to long-term financial benefits. Overall, you can reduce security costs by using MSS instead of in-house security measures. With MSS, everything from deployment to regular updates, proactive monitoring and more is included.   Furthermore not all companies can afford to have a 24/7/365 in-house team specifically monitoring and protecting your network.  A managed security service is an excellent option not only for cost, but also for its efficiencies. Plus you have the comfort of knowing that your provider does this day-in and day-out and keeps its employees trained on emerging threats.

Your Managed Security

At Wowrack, we focus on providing solutions to help our clients with their hosting needs. We always put our clients first, which is why we want to provide the best in managed security. If you’re looking for a managed security team that will put you first, schedule a consultation with Wowrack today. Let us get to work on your security plan.

The post Why You Should Invest in Managed Security appeared first on Wowrack Blog.