Cybersecurity is only going to become more and more important as time goes on. Your healthcare facility must do its part to protect your patients’ health information and records, as this data is very valuable to hackers and other bad actors.
Here’s a cybersecurity checklist for your healthcare facility to follow:
Secure protected health information.
Use a firewall, anti-virus software, and other electronic means to secure patients’ protected health information. It’s part of remaining HIPAA-compliant, and it will save your facility from a breach of protected information and resulting lawsuits.
Establish a cybersecurity-aware culture.
The electronic approach to cybersecurity is extremely important but bear in mind that there is always a human element present as well. At the end of the day, human users are accessing health records and information, and that’s where a lot of breaches tend to occur. Your secure network is only as strong as the weakest link, so establish an office culture that promotes cybersecurity and electronic awareness at all times.
Use strong passwords and change them frequently.
Passwords are computers’ and systems’ first line of defense against hacking. That’s why having strong ones is so important. And make sure that different users don’t share login information, including usernames and passwords — everyone accessing the system should have their own unique login credentials.
Back up your files.
Holding all of your files in one place isn’t advisable. If something happens to them, they’re gone forever. Take steps to back up your facility’s healthcare data on external drives or servers.
Use caution with mobile devices.
Mobile devices are now used commonly around many healthcare facilities, often to access patient records and secured information. Small devices like phones and laptops are easy to lose or get stolen, and they transmit data wirelessly. All of this makes them vulnerable. Take extra precautions when it comes to mobile devices around your facility.
Promote or hire a cybersecurity expert.
If you have the budget, it’s highly advisable to promote or hire a cybersecurity expert who is well-versed in all of these topics. Having someone who knows the ins and outs of cybersecurity protecting your network can give you — and your patients — invaluable peace of mind.
It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Why not play it safe and ramp up your cybersecurity protocols today? It’s much, much easier to prevent an incident before it happens, rather than deal with one after the fact.
Does your facility need help on the staffing side of things? BOS Medical can help with that. Call today or contact us online to find out what our staffing agency can do for you.