The healthcare industry is one of the most at-risk organizations for a cyberattack. In the last two years, the healthcare sector has lost $25 billion to ransomware. HIPAA compliance is no longer enough to protect your healthcare organization’s sensitive data. Here’s how HIPAA compliance and cybersecurity work together to secure your business.
Compliance is Not Enough
Healthcare data breaches hit an all-time high in 2021. The rise in healthcare related attacks have left many organizations needing a better data security strategy than the one listed in HIPAA guidelines. Many businesses neglect their cybersecurity demands due to the cost of complying with HIPAA. The fast-evolving space of cyber-attacks makes the healthcare industry a prime target for criminals to gather personal information.
Under HIPAA, data must be de-identified, but EHRs can still be accessed by:
- Stolen login credentials
- Unauthorized logins
- Phishing
- Misplaced devices
Why Do Healthcare Organizations Need More Cybersecurity Controls Than What is Required by HIPAA?
Personal Health Information (PHI) is extremely sensitive and confidential. Patients want to know that their data is protected. A comprehensive cybersecurity program helps to ensure that your patient’s data is shielded by:
- Safeguarding patient data while in transit or while at rest
Data in storage and in transit are still at risk for cyberattacks. High quality cybersecurity protects data in any state.
- Ensuring remote access security
Remote computing must meet HIPAA requirements and proper cybersecurity standards. It’s important to keep clear guidelines for remote use of healthcare tools at your organization.
- Protecting IoMT devices from cyber attacks
Internet of Medical Things devices are harder to monitor and protect than other wireless tools used in healthcare. Stay ahead of a potential attack by investing into high quality cyber security monitoring for your network.
How HIPAA Compliance and Cybersecurity Work Together
Did you know that hospitals account for 30% of all data breaches? Your healthcare organization needs cybersecurity to work with HIPAA guidelines to maximize your data’s protection. There are several precautions you can take to strengthen your cybersecurity posture and HIPAA compliance. HIPPA compliance and cybersecurity work together by:
- Using firewalls
Firewalls are required by HIPAA regulations and strengthen your cybersecurity by adding an extra layer between you and hackers. In addition, the log data created by those firewalls must be stored for 1 year to be HIPAA compliant. Without a firewall, your data is easily accessible and without security logs from the firewall is a breach occurs, you will not know HOW you were breached.
- Establishing a culture of security
For an effective cybersecurity posture in your organization, your employees need to be educated about proper cybersecurity guidelines. Your cybersecurity strategy is only as strong as your employee’s intention to follow it. Weave cyber security into your organization’s culture so your strategy has a better chance of succeeding. Your employees are your first line of defense when detecting and reporting a cyberattack.
- Limiting network access
Limiting the access that individuals have to data on your network is a simple way to secure your organization and maintain HIPAA compliance. Implament separate wireless networks so guests and employees have limited access to sensitive information. Relying on a single network for all access makes you ripe for a wide scale cyberattack.
- Create disaster recovery plan
Your organization’s defense against hackers is only part of the equation. If a cyberattack does happen to your organization, you want to be properly prepared to clean up the mess. Employees should know their urgent responsibilities in the event of a cyberattack. The faster your organization gets to securing and retrieving lost data, the less costly the recovery will be.
- Backup critical data
Backing up critical data is necessary for your organization. Using a cloud based backup technology that prevents ransomware proliferation allows you to have access to data even if it has been lost or stolen on the local network. Backing up your data in this way puts your organization one step ahead of hackers. Don’t be left scrambling to clean up the pieces after a hacker hits your network. Backup your data to keep your data better protected in times of a cyberattack.
Stay Secure with Kyber Security
As the cyber threat landscape constantly evolves, your security measures should be one step ahead. Kyber Security has dedicated professionals experienced in protecting your organization from ever increasing cyber threats. We will work tirelessly to keep your company protected from cyber-attacks.
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