Ensuring Data Security in Healthcare: Essential Cybersecurity Practices

As a leader in healthcare, you face countless responsibilities—one of the most important being cybersecurity.

While it’s impossible to be 100% protected, you can focus on critical areas to make the most impact with the least amount of effort. This article outlines the top data security challenges healthcare organizations are facing and the practices that can help you confidently overcome them.

Why Data Security Is Paramount in Healthcare

Sensitive Protected Health Information (PHI) is one of the most valuable pieces of information cybercriminals can get their hands on. Somebody can use it to blackmail, commit identity theft, and financial fraud. In healthcare, people’s lives are on the line, and cybercriminals can count on hospitals being willing to pay for the stolen data of their patients and restore operations to continue providing life-saving care.

Moreover, the financial and operational consequences of healthcare breaches are staggering. In 2023 (and for the 13^th year in a row), healthcare data breaches were found to be the costliest, with the average cost of a breach increasing to $10.93 million. In more severe cases, breaches considered willful can lead to jail time—expenses that no organization can afford.

The Challenges of Healthcare Cybersecurity

The healthcare industry has had to rapidly adapt to the need for online systems, cloud storage, and virtual patient care, making it difficult for cybersecurity to keep up. As a result, many networks, medical devices, and billing systems have been left vulnerable to cyberattacks.

However, by understanding and protecting your industries’ high-risk areas, you can and stay one step ahead of cybercriminals—keeping the data of your patients and practice safe.

Ensure Your Healthcare Organization Is Prepared
Ready to strengthen your cybersecurity defenses? Download our comprehensive Cybersecurity Readiness Checklist for Healthcare Organizations and take the first step toward protecting your critical assets. This checklist is designed to help you assess your current security posture, identify potential vulnerabilities, and implement best practices tailored to the unique challenges of the healthcare industry.

Healthcare Industry Tip: Partnering with an IT expert to assess and safeguard the following areas can help ensure your security plan meets healthcare-specific compliance standards and regulations.

Challenge #1: Protecting Electronic Health Records (EHRs)

With over 133 million patient records breached in 2023 alone, protecting electronic health records is critical. Electronic Health Records (EHRs) contain names, addresses, and other personal information, making them prime targets for cybercriminals. Once this data is leaked, it can be used to steal identities and commit blackmail.

For example, in the 2022 OakBend Medical Center data breach, cybercriminals hacked their computer system and exposed over 500,000 patient and employee records. It was a painful situation that could’ve been prevented if OakBend had proper EHR protections.

How you can protect Electronic Health Records:

• Multi-Factor Authentication: MFA is an added layer of security that requires users to provide multiple forms of identification to access sensitive data. This could look like gaining access to patient records using a password and a confirmation code sent to your mobile device; or by using face recognition in combination with a password. Whichever combination you choose, implementing MFA will keep the right people IN and the wrong people OUT of your electronic health records.
• Industry-Specific Compliance: Compliance with industry regulations like HIPAA requires healthcare organizations to follow strict protocols for patient data privacy and security of Protected Health Information (PHI). Some common HIPAA violations related to electronic health records are using unsecured digital technology, leaving computers unlocked, and disclosing patient information in private conversations. Ensuring that your practice is HIPAA compliant can significantly reduce the chance of health records ending up in the wrong hands.

Challenge #2: Securing Online Medical Devices (IoMT)

Healthcare networks are more exposed than other industries due to the need for patient access and interactions with third parties like vendors, suppliers, and support contractors. These connections create multiple entry points for potential breaches. The Internet of Medical Things/Devices (IoMT) is a prime example. These devices transmit, collect, and analyze medical data over a hospital’s network. Common IoMTs include fitness trackers, ECG monitors, glucose monitors, pacemakers, and defibrillators.

Since these devices rely on network connectivity (often 24/7), any instability in the hospital network or lack of data encryption creates easy access points for hackers.

How to protect online medical devices:

• SIEM and SOC: The Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) and Security Operations Center (SOC) work together to proactively identify and act on unusual behavior and potential threats before they can cause harm to online medical devices. If someone does happen to gain access to your network, these automatic monitoring tools (SIEM) can quickly alert your Security Operations Center (SOC) to respond and reduce potential damage.
• Network Segmentation and Security Protocols: Network segmentation splits up a larger network into smaller, isolated subnetworks that operate independently. Separating IoMT devices from your primary network limits access and reduces the risk of widespread exposure in case of a breach. This layered form of security allows the rest of your system to remain secure even if one part becomes compromised.

Challenge #3: Reducing Risk of Telemedicine Platforms

Since the rise of virtual care, millions of devices—acting as entry points—are utilizing public and private networks to share sensitive patient information. If these networks, the devices themselves, and users aren’t properly educated on cybersecurity best practices, it can put large amounts of data at risk.

How to reduce the risk of virtual care:

• Virtual Private Networks (VPNs): Using a Virtual Private Network during virtual care sessions encrypts or scrambles data being shared over the network between patients and providers, making it much harder for hackers to decode or intercept.
• Cybersecurity Awareness Training: Anyone can easily fall prey to social engineering tactics that cybercriminals use, like phishing or taking advantage of patients unknowingly taking virtual care calls over a public network. Cybersecurity awareness training for patients and providers can reduce human risk and empower users to protect themselves and their valuable data.

Challenge #4: Billing and Claims Management Systems

Hospitals and healthcare practices transmit vast amounts of billing information each day. As this information moves across networks, criminals can use malware to spy and silently gather data in your billing and claims management systems (CDSS). Once they have enough information, they’ll strike or make their presence known. The 2019 AMCA data breach affected nearly 20 million patients, exposing billing information due to system vulnerabilities and resulted in the AMCA filing for bankruptcy protection.

How to protect your Billing and Claims Management Systems:

• Data Encryption: Data encryption ensures that even if your data is compromised, threat actors won’t be able to read or decipher the information without a decryption key.
• Regular Risk Assessments: Running regular risk assessments on your billing and claims management systems allows you to see your network through the eyes of a threat actor and anticipate where potential attacks could occur. Once your assessment is complete, you’ll receive tailored recommendations regarding security tools and actions to mitigate any future risks.
• Backup and Disaster Recovery Plans: Working with an IT expert to create a customized backup and disaster recovery plan ensures that you remain compliant and can quickly restore compromised billing information, minimize downtime, and avoid costly disruptions in care.

Securing Your Future

Taking proactive steps to secure your data can significantly reduce risk and protect your healthcare organization’s critical assets. Thankfully, you don’t have to do it alone. For 30 years, IT Solutions has provided comprehensive network support and security for healthcare organizations of all sizes. Our entire team, from help desk engineers to office staff, is trained in HIPAA and PCI security best practices, ensuring you receive industry-focused, compliant solutions.

Contact ITS today to strengthen your defenses and secure your healthcare organization’s future.