Quick Tips Healthcare Industry Must Follow for Medical Device & Data Security

• Published Month : Friday, 28 Feb 2020 03:00 pm

The healthcare industry has now become main target for cyber-villains as they are well aware of the potentials of protected healthcare data. Despite the raising awareness and stringent data security policies, healthcare providers are still struggling to protect their data from cyber-thieves. Hence, in order to face this challenge the industry must establish proper cyber-security framework followed by continuous training, comply FDA regulations and accurately identify & segment the devices.

One of the key reason that probably interests cybercriminals to healthcare industry is patients’ personal data including name, age, date of birth, number, etc. The hackers use these data for stealing the identity of any patient, which is also referred to as identity theft. This lets them access to any very critical medicine that can only be issued with doctor’s prescription.

Another mounting security risk across healthcare industry is seen in several medical devices like pacemakers & other similar devices that are connected to internet, since these devices too have to face challenges similar to the computer systems. Thus, in order to safeguard patients’ safety, FDA has recommended that both the medical device manufacturer along with the healthcare facility implanting it must take defensive measures towards data security.

Establishing Cyber-security Framework alike Sanitary Practices: Continuous cyber-security training ensures that each & every employee across the organization is capably responsible for securing patient data followed by developing a security culture. While regular training as well as regular updation of software solutions are best means of lessening any probabilities of cyber-attack, a team of skilled cyber-security team can defend the system well before as soon as their security lines are been probed. Hence, implementation of smart security solution with regular training as well as proficient team that have access of real-time tracking can ensure protecting patients by the means of good information security practices. Also, superior cyber-security framework for patient’s personal data security is as vital as sanitary practices in healthcare organization.

Medical device manufacturers must comply with FDA’s reporting regulations: FDA has a set of medical device regulations that need to be followed by the manufacturers and healthcare facilities. Also, prompt reporting of any cyber-security threat possibly will enable FDA in identifying as well as better understanding of threats associated with the medical devices.

Identification, Segmentation and monitoring all Connected Medical Devices: Each and every connected medical device necessitates continuous real-time monitoring, so that security teams that allows security teams to constantly probe for vulnerabilities or else any unusual behavior that is probably indicative of a device been compromised. Furthermore, in a setting where nearly thousands of connected devices are present, implementation of certain smart cyber-security solution only can offer effectual network management.

Moreover, accurate segmentation of all the connected medical device in an environment on the basis of vulnerability & risk profiles can also moderate the risk of hackers' entering into the network.