How hospitals are keeping patient data secure

Given the wealth of sensitive personal data healthcare organizations process and store, it’s no surprise that hospitals, medical offices, and other healthcare systems are prime targets for cybercrime. In 2014, an estimated 85 percent of large healthcare organizations faced a data breach, and one in five of those breaches cost the organization more than $1 million to rectify.¹

Due to the costs a data breach can inflict on the operation, as well as the patients it’s entrusted to care for, healthcare organizations have become more vigilant and determined to battle cybercrime—and their efforts underscore important steps any business can apply to improve data security.

Step #1: Ensure you’re using devices with multiple layers of security

The problem: For the sake of efficiency, some healthcare operations favored the status quo rather than adopting new technologies designed with advanced security features.² Many doctors’ offices, for instance, relied on pre-printed prescription pads, which stand particularly susceptible to fraud.

How healthcare is responding: Healthcare organizations are leveraging new options to protect them from loss or liability and reduce fraud. Pre-printed and hand-written prescriptions have given way to more secure options like electronic prescriptions and the HP Prescription Printing Security Solution, which produces tamper-resistant prescriptions that print with security features to assist with stringent government regulations.

The lesson for your business: Data and business information is more vulnerable than ever. The percentage of breaches involving a compromised person or their devices has more than doubled in the last six years.³ Are there places in your organization where outdated technology makes you more susceptible to a breach? If so, how can you close the loop and fortify your business with improved technologies?

Step #2: Assess security across your fleet

The problem: Healthcare operations often focused their security efforts on protecting the most frequently attacked endpoints: the network perimeter, internal computer workstations, and server assets.

How healthcare is responding: Healthcare organizations are working to secure and protect all endpoints, not just the most common targets. A solution such as HP Access Control provides healthcare organizations with print authentication, auditing, authorization, accounting, and secure “pull” printing capabilities to bolster security.

The lesson for your business: Take time to analyze your tech environment and understand the full scope of your security needs, particularly with respect to those often-overlooked elements like uncontrolled print environments.

Source : http://www8.hp.com/us/en/TechnologyAtWork/keeping-patient-data-secure.html?flexfield10=021705