Technology is a fundamental and unavoidable part of modern healthcare. Unfortunately, with every great innovation that technology brings comes more sophisticated cyberattacks. In addition to data storage and networks, healthcare facilities must protect their mobile devices, smart equipment, and much, much more. Preventing cybersecurity risks in the healthcare industry has become an extensive effort that requires smart, thorough, and proactive solutions. Discover the best strategies to protect your facility with these tips.
Protect Mobile Devices
Mobile devices like tablets, smartphones, laptops, and portable storage are a great boon to medical staff. Communication and access to records have never been easier for healthcare facilities and their employees. Unfortunately, these devices also make access easier for hackers and other threats. Mobile devices are small and abundant, making them easy to steal and smuggle out of a facility. Innovative technology also means that these devices can store massive amounts of sensitive data. Be careful what type of information you keep on mobile devices. If you need to transfer or store sensitive data on a mobile device, encrypt it to ensure that it stays secure.
Plan for Data Backup and Recovery
In the best-case scenario, you never have to deal with the data loss, system downtime, and other repercussions of a cyberattack. However, as you hope for the best, it’s a good idea to plan for the worst. Regular data backup makes it easy to restore information quickly after an issue. You should back up files at least once a day. Additionally, house backup files at a secure facility away from your primary system to ensure they stay safe even if your main system suffers a major attack.
Take a Proactive Approach To Threats
Strong defenses are important, but catching attacks before they hit your system is even better. That’s just one of the many reasons to consider a managed detection and response service for your healthcare facility. Working with a HIPAA-compliant MDR service gives you expert, in-house security solutions, making MDR teams valuable partners in preventing cybersecurity risks in the healthcare industry. Processes like threat hunting allow MDR services to analyze threats and detect attacks before they occur. Moreover, an MDR provider will help you stay on top of software updates and cybersecurity best practices to ensure that your facility stays as secure as possible.
