Technology has undoubtedly made a positive difference in the type of advanced healthcare available today. Interconnected devices allow for fast response and treatments that can save lives. Unfortunately, though, these advanced systems are prone to attacks from cybercriminals who are concerned with matters other than helping people and promoting the common good. Healthcare facilities need to invest in healthcare cybersecurity to fend off hackers and online villains who would shut computer systems down.
How Does Cybersecurity Affect Healthcare?
Medical devices are costly, and they often run outdated software and programs, perhaps due to updates being overlooked or even because there is not enough money. This makes them vulnerable to ransomware and other types of malware as well as hacker attacks to steal patient information.
All of these things can damage intricate machinery for future operation as well as shutting it down when patients need it most. Data breaches are costly and upsetting. Therefore, cybersecurity is vital. In order to achieve effective healthcare cybersecurity, IT experts need to inspect, bolster, and operate secure health system technology networks. There are several elements to setting up and operating effective cybersecurity for health providers.
Limiting Network Access
Threats may come from personal devices used by healthcare professionals during their working days. These items may not be secure, and they can weaken the system and introduce malware. Part of dealing with this potentially serious problem is to limit the parts of the network personal devices can access. In keeping with this first step, administrators also should look into limiting how personal devices are able to access any part of a facility’s network.
Managing IT Expertise
Healthcare administrators are not IT experts, and most facilities outsource this element. Over time, different contracts may be awarded for various aspects of IT support. Too many contracts can make keeping track of who is doing which tasks for what equipment difficult. This kind of confusion increases chances of security breaches. Therefore, when health facilities outsource expertise, the process should be organized and limited to a few vendors.
Assessing the Essentials
Healthcare systems need accurate IT assessment management, or ITAM, which identifies every device on a health system network. This process can be set up to quickly and automatically deliver a snapshot of every device using a particular network, including computers running Mac, Linux, and Windows, printers, scanners, and all networked medical devices. ITAM is an essential element in advanced healthcare cybersecurity.
Healthcare facilities depend on stable technology systems to deliver state-of-the-art treatment at a moment’s notice. Cybercriminals relish the opportunity of exploiting weaknesses in health facility networks. Specific actions help healthcare facilities take proactive steps to prevent data breaches and damage to delicate equipment. By employing focused protocols, healthcare providers can fend off this all too real threat and do what they do best — help people get well.
About Connected Risk Solutions
At Connected Risk Solutions, we use our expertise and experience to provide insurance information and programs to those who serve long-term care and senior living facilities. Since 2007, we’ve been offering insurance and risk management plans designed to help our agents give their clients the ability to achieve continued growth while simultaneously protecting against loss, containing costs and increasing profitability. With three offices to serve you in Chicago, Illinois; Phoenix, Arizona; and Burlington, Connecticut, we do everything we can to make your experience with us as professional and transparent as possible. To learn more, contact us at (877) 890-9301.
