Information security in healthcare is critical for all of the following reasons:
- Protecting sensitive patient information to maintain regulatory compliance and patient trust
- Protecting patient health
- Safeguarding the facility’s intellectual property, including research
- Ensuring the continuity of care by avoiding disruptions
- Minimizing potential risks of legal liability and financial penalties
Here’s a more in-depth look at each of these factors:
Protection of Patient Privacy and Data
One of the main reasons why healthcare facilities must emphasize IT security (SE) is to ensure patient data is protected. Protected health information includes a wealth of private information about patients, including names, Social Security numbers, addresses, medical histories, and more. In a healthcare data breach, this data can be used by bad actors to commit identity theft, extortion, and fraud, making data privacy important. Robust security measures can help organizations safeguard privacy and maintain regulatory compliance.
Keeping Patients Safe
Healthcare facilities rely on technology to deliver quality care to patients. Cyberattacks can lead to downtime, making electronic medical records inaccessible and causing delays in critical care services. Attacks on connected devices and apps could directly threaten the safety of patients. Implementing stringent security measures can mitigate risks of disruptions and help facilities maintain the quality of care.
Maintaining Patient Trust
Patients need to know they can trust their doctors and that their private information will be secure. Security incidents and data breaches can destroy patient trust and cause them to seek care elsewhere. Patients might also avoid providing critical information to their doctors if they believe their information could be at risk. Having strong security measures in place can help facilities and providers maintain patient trust and protect their reputations.
Protecting Research and Intellectual Property
Many institutions and hospitals conduct invaluable research. This data can be targeted by cybercriminals operating from abroad. The theft of these types of information can lead to setbacks in new technologies and treatments and significant financial losses.
Maintaining Regulatory Compliance
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is strictly enforced. This law includes strict security regulations that hospitals and other medical facilities must follow when dealing with patient information. Failing to comply with these laws can lead to severe legal repercussions and financial penalties.
Minimizing Legal and Financial Risks
Healthcare facilities can face substantial financial and legal repercussions when data breaches occur. Multiple costs can be involved, including notification, remediation, legal settlements, and credit monitoring, and they can quickly build. The damage to a hospital’s reputation following a well-publicized cyber attack can also cause ongoing losses. Cybersecurity helps to minimize these risks and protect the facility’s financial stability.