Data Breach – Protected health information (PHI) has always been a lucrative target for cybercriminals. PHI violations can lead to health care fraud through manipulation or impersonation of medical records to access prescription drugs. This can lead to reputational damage and a decline in patient trust.
Outdated technology – Extensive use of outdated technology and infrastructure can create vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit. Modernizing technology capabilities remains a costly and time-consuming endeavor, and is often a barrier to change. However, the same KPMG study found that
Insufficient staff training – Given their education and job responsibilities, many healthcare workers may lack an understanding of basic cybersecurity protocols. Without proper training, you increase your risk of exposure to threats such as phishing.
Regulatory Violations – Healthcare organizations around the world operate under strict regulatory rules regarding patient data. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in severe penalties.
Endpoint Complexity – Healthcare systems have unique endpoint complexity challenges due to large employee groups and vast physical infrastructures. This requires organizations to manage the devices used by thousands of staff, patients, and visitors.
Interoperable EHRs – A recent research report by the Partnership for Health System Sustainability and Resilience identified the benefits of establishing interoperable clinical databases and EHRs as “the most important goal for all health systems.” ” is advertised as. The report also notes that these systems “significantly improve daily patient care, creating a rich and complete source of population-wide data to support service planning and delivery, and research and development of new technologies.” “It has the potential to do so,” he said. 2. Non-working EHRs also link to patient portals and allow remote access by medical staff. This is key to improving the experience for both audiences. While these interoperable systems offer many benefits to healthcare systems, the very nature of the PHI they contain puts them at risk for cyberattacks.
