5 Tips for Better Cybersecurity in Healthcare

 

5 Tips for Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is a hot button issue, especially with major breaches with Equifax, Yahoo, and many other major companies. In the past we’ve stressed the importance of medical facilities and practices staying in the know, with discussion on Cybersecurity & Healthcare.

It’s especially important that Healthcare Professionals are in the know, as medical records are being sought after more so than credit cards.

Being that all members of the public are at risk, it’s significance to your personal info too.

Check out our top 5 Cybersecurity Tips for Healthcare Professionals.

Lockdown Your Computer

Tip #1: Simple Steps Towards Online Safety

Many of us working in offices have our personal information readily available on our computers. When it comes to to lunch this is great but when if you’re constantly stepping away from your desk, you’re opening yourself up to many possible cyber threats both internal and external.

In the event that you’re taking a break or heading out, and won’t be around your desk it’s best not to just turn off your screens, but to make sure to lock down on your computer with password protection.

 

Culture of Cybersecurity

Tip #2: Create A Culture of Cybersecurity 

Make Cybersecurity everyone’s business!  We can’t stress enough how critical that everyone is on the same page. You’re only as strong as your weakest link, whether it’s a large medical facility or a small practice, the shared responsibility among all employees to keep the confidential, confidential is critical. Is Cybersecurity part of your employee training process? It’s time to start formally training staff on how to handle confidential information (medical records), email safely and the best practices for security. Especially important as cyber threats are increasing more sophisticated. They’re even developing new ways to acquire sensitive data. If employees don’t understand how they’re being targeted they can’t spot how they’re under attack.

The Future Tip #3: – Get Preemptive for the Internet of Tomorrow

How can trends that may sound great for the environment and appealing to the greater good put us in a compromising situation? Unfortunately, we may think we’re doing the right thing, but it could cost the company time and money in the future.

For instance, if your office is green (significantly reduced all paper products) you may be at risk.  This effort to help save the environment there may have been some unknown risks opened up. Going green also means relying on back-ups and the cloud for your data. If ever compromised your options of recovery are limited to how well you have protected your information thus far. Discuss the whereabouts of your back-ups with your IT manager so that you won’t have to pay a ransom to retrieve your data in the event of a breach. If an email appears to be suspicious, it probably is! Don’t even open it. Delete it immediately.

Tip #4:  – Consider a Career in Cybersecurity Cyber Careers

Maybe you’d even consider a career dabbling in IT or Cybersecurity too? May be not, but Information Technology is incredibly important for every industry. Judging by our tips these transfer to any type of office. Some companies will even invest in employees who take the initiative to learn pertinent trades to the company that will help avoid bringing in new hires. Even if you’re not interested in embarking upon completely new terrain, helping your own company become more cyber aware is an incredible step. Whether the suggestion to beef up the current security at your office or outsource it’s very important to weigh your options.

Street LightsTip #5:  – Protect Critical Infrastructure

Now if you thought the potential of medical records threatened sounded terrible. You’re right, but it does get worse. Electricity, Financial Institutions, and Transportation all depend upon the Internet and these essential systems support our daily lives. In regards to national security, we must build resilience in critical infrastructure. But how exactly can we do this?  First, get ahead of the game and consider that it could happen. Cybersecurity touches on things like keeping our traffic lights, running water, phone lines, and other critical infrastructure secure which are all critical for the safety of your practice.

 


Now that you know how to protect yourself from some of the threats out there, let’s discuss Cyber Liability Coverage Options!

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