Safeguard Your Electronic Medical Records

 

Looking into ways to safeguard the electronic medical records post the surge in healthcare cybercrime

Cybercrime in the healthcare industry is not uncommon. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and the vulnerabilities it has produced in the healthcare industry have pushed the figures to an all-time high. To put it in context, 45 million people were affected by healthcare threats in the United States alone in 2021, up from 34 million in 2020. This figure has more than tripled in three years, rising from 14 million in 2018.

According to some analysts, the healthcare industry's total percentage of data breaches remains much lower than the IT and banking sectors. However, the average cost of a breach in healthcare remained greater than in all other businesses in 2021, up 10.5% from 2020. At the same time, the average ransom demand increased by more than 80%.

As concerning as it is, the healthcare industry is exceedingly ill-equipped to handle assaults – particularly considering the pandemic – making it an ideal target for ransomware organizations. However, this sector was not particularly heavily hit until 2019, as these institutions lack the financial wherewithal to pay the large ransoms demanded by hackers. While the root causes of breaches are difficult to define, the analysis implies that a failure to patch vulnerabilities, along with the increased black-market value of medical information, could be driving the focus toward industry.

The Root Causes of Data Breach in the Healthcare Industry

Personal health information (PHI) is more valuable than credit card credentials or standard personally identifiable information (PII) on the black market. As a result, cybercriminals are more likely to attack medical databases. They may either sell or utilize the PHI to their advantage. According to the health and human services breach report, data breaches have affected approximately 15 million health information thus far. Credential-stealing malware, an insider who intentionally or inadvertently releases patient data, or stolen laptops or other devices are all instances of events that might result in this.

The price of PHI on the black market

A non-healthcare organization's average cost of a data breach is $158 per stolen record, whereas a PHI's average cost is $355. According to a recent McAfee Labs report, credit card information and PII sell on the black market for $1-$2, whereas PHI may sell for up to $363. This is because, unlike credit card information or Social Security numbers, one's personal health history, which includes ailments, illnesses, surgeries, and so on, cannot be changed.

PHI is crucial because criminals may use the information to target individuals with frauds and scams based on medical concerns or settlements. It may also be used to forge insurance claims, allowing for the purchase and resale of personal medical equipment. Certain criminals also exploit PHI to gain unauthorized access to drugs for personal use or sales.

Healthcare Records Regulations

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires healthcare providers to secure electronic health records by implementing proper physical and technical safeguards. Breach of more than 500 data must be reported, whether the cause is a hacking incident, an accident, lost or stolen equipment, or unlawful internal access and ransomware infestations.

The Next Steps

The only way ahead is for healthcare institutions to prioritize and remedy the vulnerabilities that are to be most likely targeted by organized ransomware attacks and adopt a regular check-up and patching program. Other actions that healthcare institutions can take toward compliant management include:

Employee Training Programs that are Comprehensive

Some breaches result from sophisticated hacking, while others result from unskilled people misusing PHI. Regardless, all healthcare companies must prioritize a thorough staff training program for people who deal with health records throughout the data lifecycle.

Increase Data Security

From the time they are generated until deleted, patient records must be kept secure. When electronic documents are in use, they should have a detailed audit trail, and paper records should be securely archived in a location with limited access when not in use. Records stored offsite should be preserved in approved and secure facilities. At the conclusion of their life cycle, all paper and electronic documents should be safely destroyed using NAID-certified processes.

Perform self-audits

HIPAA-regulated businesses must conduct extensive audits regularly to ensure that proper safeguards for patient privacy are in place. To ensure privacy compliance and avoid fines, organizations should also develop their own performance and compliance monitoring and periodic self-audits.

Procedures should be streamlined

Maintaining compliance with complex state and federal laws is difficult, and the medical industry provides little room for human error. A unified medical records management system may improve accuracy, assure consistency, and protect patients by automating crucial and time-consuming tasks.

Management of Medical Records

When health records are not secured, both patients and doctors are at risk. Fortunately, businesses may take several steps to safeguard themselves and their consumers. Medical institutions may protect themselves by adopting a proactive approach to healthcare data management and security and investing in centralized, comprehensive medical records management software.

To conclude, most people get medical insurance to be prepared for whatever life throws at them. Similarly, a medical institution should invest in robust information management, security, and records management systems to be ready for whatever comes.