The graph of cyberattacks on healthcare practices have been on a steep rise in the last 14 years. The HIPAA Journal reported that there have been record breaches in the year 2021 and the latest report of 2023 stated that with 725 data breaches more than 133 million records were exposed or illegally disclosed.
This has to be concerning for healthcare providers and healthcare institutions all across the world. Since they are constantly at risk of losing their sensitive patient data, it not only affects their patients’ trust but also hefty fines leading to financial loss in quick succession.
However, with the rise in custom healthcare software development, there has been a little sigh of relief for healthcare providers. As the new trend in healthcare software development, healthcare providers have recognized the threat of cyber attacks and are actively investing in cybersecurity to maintain the integrity of their practice and to regain the trust of patients.
But what exactly is cybersecurity in healthcare and what role does it play in data protection?
Well, in this blog, let’s discuss exactly that along with why HIPAA compliance is required of healthcare software security and how the cybersecurity best practices for healthcare reduces the risk of cyber threats and data breaches.
So, without further ado, let’s get started!
Understanding the Cybersecurity Landscape
Before understanding the intricacies of cybersecurity, it is important to understand what exactly are cyber threats that your healthcare software needs security from and how it can impact your healthcare practice.
- Types of Cyber Threats: Primarily, the major target of cyberattackers is the sensitive information stored in healthcare software systems. Cyberattackers try different ways to penetrate the system to access such information. Some of the most common cyber threats in this are Ransomware, Phishing, Malware, Data Breaches, Insider Threats, DDoS Attacks, Medical Device Hacking, IoT Vulnerabilities, and Cloud Security Risks. With the use of all these threats, attackers try to gain access to healthcare data and then steal or manipulate that data for their own personal gain.
- The Impact of Data Breaches: Out of all the cyber threats, data breaches are one of the most common ways cyber attackers use to access and steal sensitive information. Due to poor security standards of healthcare software, it is fairly easy for healthcare providers to do so. Having said that, the impact it has on healthcare practice is huge. While it compromises the integrity of the healthcare practice, it also includes financial losses, reputation damage to the practice, and legal repercussions for compromising the fundamental rights of their patients.
- HIPAA Compliance and Data Security: To avoid the risk of cyber threats, the regulatory bodies require the custom software to be HIPAA compliant. Since it sets some cybersecurity parameters for data protection, it also enhances the IT security and privacy of patient data. However, HIPAA is not the only regulatory body; depending on the region, country, or state, the compliance you require for your custom software might change, requiring you to comply with the necessary laws.
Building Security into Custom Software Development
One of the best ways to enhance the cybersecurity of your healthcare software is by laying its foundation during the custom software development process. Here are some things that you need to consider at this stage:
- Secure Coding Practices: Ingraining secure coding practices for developing custom software helps in the prevention of potential vulnerabilities that might expose data or cause harm within a targeted system. This is done by introducing an abstraction layer that scans the existing code and any new code that has been added to the repository.
- Data Encryption at Rest and in Transit: One of the best ways to protect patient data is by data encryption. However, it is important to keep the data encrypted when it is at rest and also in transit. It not only enhances security but also significantly reduces the chances of unauthorized access.
- Access Control and User Authentication: Implementing strong access control measures and user authentication protocols to restrict unauthorized access to the software. Implementing role-based access control functionality can come in handy in enhancing this healthcare feature.
Ongoing Security Measures for Custom Software
Apart from compliance and other cybersecurity measures, ongoing monitoring and taking the necessary measures with respect to evolving needs are also equally necessary. Here are some considerations that you can implement as a part of your ongoing security for custom software:
- Regular Security Audits and Penetration Testing: The best way to enhance the cybersecurity of your healthcare software is to self-test it. Conduct regular security audits and perform penetration testing to identify and address potential vulnerabilities that might be left behind in the process.
- Employee Training and Awareness: In phishing and internal threats, a gap in security is created inside the system. That is the reason for protecting healthcare data; the need for ongoing cybersecurity training for all staff members is extremely necessary. Along with that, educate them on best practices for protecting patient data to mitigate the damage.
- Data Backup and Disaster Recovery Plan: Apart from taking all the necessary security measures, it is recommended to have a robust data backup plan in case of any data breaches. Along with that, they also have a disaster recovery plan in place to ensure business continuity in case of any cyberattack and also to mitigate the damage.
Staying Informed About Evolving Threats
As technology is evolving, the threats are also evolving, afterall it is all about exploiting the gaps in the technology. That is why, while it is important to stay informed about the evolving technological advancements, it is equally important to stay informed about the evolving threats. Here are some of the best ways you can stay updated with the evolving nature of cyber threats that might increase your custom software security risks.
- Following Industry Best Practices: The best way to stay updated with the latest cybersecurity threats is to follow the industry’s best practices for healthcare data security. This way, you will constantly be exposed to threats and vulnerabilities while practicing on your system to ensure its security.
- Monitoring Security Alerts and Updates: Your custom software is smart enough to let you know about any threats that are compromising the security of your system and alert your system. Monitoring these security alerts and updating your system can help you address newly discovered vulnerabilities in the system, boosting your security.
- Partnering with a Security Expert: Another industry standard practice that is followed by many healthcare institutions to enhance their security is to partner with a security expert. This way, they do not have to worry about such security threats as they conduct ongoing security assessments and implement mitigation strategies to minimize the damage from the threats.
Conclusion
As the adoption rate of healthcare software systems continues to rise and technological advancements enhance it further taking it to the next level, the threat of cyber attacks will also increase. That is the reason why to mitigate your custom software security risks, cybersecurity is required. Robust cybersecurity measures not only help you in data protection but also suppresses the effects of data breaches and cyber threats.
A proactive approach to cybersecurity is recommended that combines technical measures, raises user awareness and helps you in staying updated with the evolving threats and trends in cybersecurity. Click here to assess your cybersecurity levels and what can be done further to improve it.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the most common cybersecurity threats facing healthcare organizations?
Healthcare organizations face significant cybersecurity threats, including ransomware attacks, phishing scams, unauthorized access to sensitive patient data, and denial-of-service attacks that disrupt operations. These threats can compromise patient privacy, disrupt critical services, and lead to financial losses.
- How can I ensure my custom healthcare software is HIPAA compliant?
To ensure HIPAA compliance, thoroughly understand and implement the Security Rule, Privacy Rule, and Breach Notification Rule. Protect patient data with strong access controls, encryption, and data backups. Train employees on HIPAA regulations and conduct regular risk assessments. Consider using a HIPAA-compliant hosting service and obtaining the necessary certifications.
- What is the role of encryption in protecting patient data?
Encryption scrambles patient data, making it unreadable without a special key. This safeguards sensitive information from unauthorized access, even if data is stolen. It’s a crucial tool to maintain patient privacy and comply with regulations like HIPAA.
- How often should I update my healthcare software?
Your healthcare software should be updated frequently after equal intervals. The best way is to set a timeframe and set updates with respect to it.
- What should I do if I suspect a data breach?
Act swiftly if you suspect a data breach. Change passwords immediately, monitor accounts closely, and consider a credit freeze. Contact your financial institutions and report the breach to the relevant authorities. For more comprehensive advice, visit IdentityTheft.gov.
