With the increasing amount of private information located in online databases, companies are more concerned than ever about protecting themselves from cyber security attacks. Such a concern is even more apt in the world of healthcare compliance, as incredibly personal and private information is stored in online databases. Here are a few ways you can ensure your compliance department is taking the appropriate measures to protect against cyber attacks.
Cyber Security Training
If cyber security isn’t currently an aspect of your training, it should be. Not only should it be a part of training, you should host regular training seminars with updates and new techniques. The cyber environment is constantly changing, meaning that they types of threats, ways to protect against them, and how to spot them is constantly changing too. Employees should attend regular trainings that keep them up to date on the risks and threats the company could face.
Keep Procedures Simple
Too many companies have large cyber security manuals and handbooks that are unnecessarily complex, full of technical jargon, and difficult to understand instructions and explanations. Complicated and confusing instructions and procedures hinder employees from taking such risks seriously or dedicating the time to understand how to proceed if a situation were to arise. Keep manuals and handbooks simple with easy to understand language and terminology. Anyone and everyone should be able to read it and grasp what it means.
Monitor Access and System Analytics
Though it sounds a bit like spying, it’s important to know who is accessing files and when they were last seen. Unfortunately, many cyber security attacks or data breaches are performed by those who already have access to files. Installing software that keeps track of employees’ movements within the database ensures that people are not misusing the data or snooping where they shouldn’t be.
Protecting patients’ personal information should be a top priority for healthcare professionals. In 2018 alone, dozens of healthcare companies and medical practices were victim to cyber security attacks that exposed private information and health records. Taking the proper measures to protect patient information is rapidly becoming one of the biggest concerns in the healthcare compliance industry. By instituting effective and regular trainings, rethinking how your company discusses cyber security, and installing software that monitors employee use, your company can ensure that it is effectively preparing for online attacks.