What does the future of healthcare look like? One word – digital.
These five cybersecurity features will likely impact all aspects of healthcare.
1. Increased need for data privacy programs
Compared with other industries, healthcare has not always been known for being fast-paced. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the digitization of healthcare, leading the industry to make faster changes than ever before.
As a result of the upcoming changes taking place within the healthcare sector, it will be increasingly important for healthcare organizations to have data privacy programs in place that protect patient information and align with HIPAA compliance.
Data breaches in healthcare are not uncommon, and they can have devastating consequences. When hackers access healthcare information, they gain access to patients’ medical records and personal information, including patients’ home addresses and Social Security Numbers. Thus, protecting data privacy must be a top priority now and in the future.
2. User-friendly cybersecurity solutions
A decade or so ago, only IT professionals needed to be trained in how to use cybersecurity solutions effectively. That isn’t the case anymore.
Anyone authorized to access essential patient and provider data needs to also access cybersecurity solutions.
That means these solutions need to be user-friendly to ensure that even those who are not technically trained can use them without compromising sensitive information.
3. Increase in HCPs transitioning to digital business environments
The pandemic opened up a new world of digital opportunities for healthcare providers. As a result, we’re seeing more HCPs transitioning into digital business environments such as apps and websites.
These providers need to have cybersecurity measures in place to prevent hackers from accessing their information. Those who are using websites and apps to communicate with patients directly will also need security measures in place for HIPAA compliance.
4. Increase in the average number of devices per HCP
Healthcare providers are using more devices than ever to stay connected to their profession and patients. So, they need to be using state-of-the-art cybersecurity programs that protect their and their patients’ sensitive data.
5. Artificial Intelligence will take over many healthcare services
Finally, we need to talk about artificial intelligence (AI). There are so many opportunities for AI to take over healthcare services in ways that provide greater care to patients.
Thus, it will become increasingly important for any healthcare organization that utilizes AI to have systems in place that protect against security breaches and ensure the AI-enabled machines are not able to distribute sensitive patient information.
The Increasing Importance of Data Privacy in This New Digital Age of Healthcare
Keeping patient data secure has always been a goal of the healthcare industry. As more healthcare services and providers transition to digital platforms, we need to remain vigilant in ensuring that all patient data is guarded and protected from cybersecurity threats.
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