The Covid-19 pandemic has pushed the world to use telemedicine and telehealth solutions to provide care to patients remotely. Hospitals and patients have both realized the convenience and flexibility of this platform and are continuing to use it without hesitation. Many clinics are offering healthcare solutions via Telemedicine EMR software systems as desired by patients. However, telemedicine is open to threats from cyber-attackers.

What do Providers need to know?

Cyber security should be the top priority of healthcare providers as they use telemedicine or virtual services to continue to provide care to patient populations. Clinics and hospitals that have embraced telemedicine solutions have security weaknesses that need to be identified and also comprehend the different ways in which the data can be hacked.

A risk threats analysis can be conducted once the physician knows where their practice is vulnerable in terms of data protection and encryption. Here are some of the ways your data can be in danger from hackers.

  • Internet connection and broadband security
  • WIFI hotspots
  • VPNs and remote access points
  • Security information or data which is stored on your devices or at the hospital facility
  • Network security during data transfer
  • It is critical that physicians also keep in mind the additional security threats as they work remotely including personal smartphones and non-secure wireless networks.

Learn about your hacker’s methods

Hackers make the most out of your employee’s weaknesses and targets especially when they log in from an unprotected device or make an offhand click. Hackers can access patient data through phishing attacks and unsecured wireless networks. Once the hacker has the password then they have easy access to your system and can install ransomware. Covid-19 cases have gone down but still, many providers and hospital staff members are working remotely. This allows hackers to access systems by easily tracking down-home internet connection passwords.

What can practices do for ultimate cybersecurity in 2022?

Cyber-attacks can disrupt practice operations and can harm the patient’s well-being. Cyber security is a patient safety issue and providers can make sure that the telehealth platform is encrypted and protected through HIPAA compliance. IT security staff can up the security of computer systems by providing passwords that are difficult to hack and unlock by hackers. The cyber security infrastructure can be improved through necessary security protocols. Healthcare organizations can secure all systems such as EMR software systems and Practice Management software systems by installing anti-virus software and updating it regularly. It is also important that staff members are educated to lock their work computers when nobody is using them to prevent any ransomware attacks. By setting up security policies in healthcare organizations everybody will feel responsible for the protection of patient data and take it more seriously. Hospitals and clinics do not invest in the right technology or regular updates, according to a recent estimate,  health systems put only 4% to 7% of their budgets toward cybersecurity which is not enough to protect sensitive data from threats. Your healthcare organization should be ready to keep a separate budget for privacy and encryption of data without compromise.

Moving ahead

Healthcare providers are turning to digital healthcare solutions to provide remote care services. To protect the practice from cyber-attacks and phishing attacks healthcare organizations need to be proactive and use the right technology and software systems that are HIPAA compliant for Meaningful use. By ensuring patient data is encrypted patients will feel satisfied throughout their care process.