Why Every Healthcare Information Security and Privacy Practitioner Needs to Stay Ahead of the Game
Healthcare information security and privacy practitioners play a crucial role in ensuring the protection of sensitive medical data. With the ever-evolving threat landscape, it’s more important than ever for practitioners to stay ahead of the game. In this article, we’ll explore why being proactive is essential and how practitioners can remain up-to-date with the latest best practices.
Evolution of Cyber Threats in Healthcare
With the rise in healthcare data breaches, it’s vital for practitioners to stay up-to-date with evolving cyber threats. Cyber attackers target healthcare information to gain access to financial information, identities, and protected health information (PHI). According to the “2021 Cost of a Data Breach” report by IBM, the healthcare industry had the highest average total cost per data breach at $9.23 million. Therefore, healthcare information security practitioners must remain one step ahead.
Staying Up-to-Date with the Latest Threats and Vulnerabilities
As cyber attackers become more sophisticated, it’s essential to stay up-to-date with the latest threats and vulnerabilities. Some methods for doing this include attending cybersecurity conferences and webinars, reviewing industry-recognized cybersecurity frameworks, reading trending articles, and building relationships with cybersecurity experts. By staying up-to-date with the latest trends, practitioners can ensure that they have the necessary tools and skills to defend against the constantly evolving threat landscape.
The Importance of Best Practices
Practitioners also need to stay up-to-date with best practices in healthcare information security and privacy. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) sets the standard for protecting sensitive patient information in the healthcare industry. Staying up-to-date with best practices and HIPAA regulations can reduce the likelihood of data breaches and can ensure that healthcare providers remain in compliance with regulatory requirements.
Real-World Impact of Poor Healthcare Information Security
As cyber attackers become increasingly sophisticated, it’s critical to ensure that healthcare providers and practitioners take proactive steps to protect patient information. In 2015, Anthem Inc., one of the largest health insurers in the US, experienced a data breach that resulted in the exposure of approximately 78.8 million member and employee records. The healthcare provider paid $115 million in a settlement with the Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights due to poor cybersecurity measures. This example shows how important it is to stay proactive when it comes to healthcare information security.
In Conclusion
Staying ahead of the game is critical for healthcare information security and privacy practitioners. By staying up-to-date with evolving cyber threats, best practices, and industry-recognized frameworks, healthcare providers can remain in compliance with regulatory requirements, reduce the likelihood of data breaches, and ultimately protect sensitive patient information. To ensure continued success, practitioners must remain proactive in their efforts to stay ahead of the game.
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