Article 5 in our series on CARF accreditation
Leveraging technology and staff training to mitigate cybersecurity risks
As cyber threats become more sophisticated, healthcare organizations need to adopt a multi-layered approach to safeguard sensitive client data. This involves not only leveraging advanced technology but also ensuring that staff are well-trained in cybersecurity best practices. CARF-accredited organizations, in particular, must prioritize both technology and human factors to protect against cyber threats.
1. Technology for protecting patient data
Healthcare organizations must implement the latest security technologies to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data. Here are key areas to focus on:
- Encryption: All sensitive data, both in transit and at rest, should be encrypted to ensure that even if data is stolen, it cannot be easily accessed.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Requiring multiple forms of identification to access sensitive systems adds an extra layer of protection.
- Firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): Firewalls block unauthorized access to systems, while IDS monitors network traffic for suspicious activity.
- Regular Software Updates: Cybercriminals often exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software, making it crucial to keep systems up to date.
- Endpoint Protection: Protect user computers and servers from malware, like ransomware, and other cyber threats.
- Network Segmentation: Prevent threats, like hackers and ransomware, from moving freely through your network.
2. Staff training and awareness
A key cause of data breaches is human error. Healthcare employees, whether administrative staff or healthcare providers, must be trained in identifying and preventing potential cyber threats.
- Security Awareness: Train staff to recognize social engineering attacks, including phishing emails, and other cyber-attacks that target end users.
- Password Management: Encourage strong, unique passwords and the use of password managers to reduce the risk of compromised credentials.
- Incident Reporting: Employees must know how to report suspicious activity immediately to prevent data breaches from escalating.
3. Cybersecurity policies and procedures
These policies are managements intentional decisions regarding an organization’s cybersecurity. These policies should identify key requirements and assign responsibility. Some benefits include:
- Employee awareness: Policies reinforce the importance of security to organization leadership, thereby promoting cyber awareness among staff.
- Compliance support: Written policies help organizations meet legal and regulatory requirements.
- Accountability: Clear policies define roles and responsibilities, increasing stakeholder accountability in maintaining cybersecurity.
- Standardization: Policies ensure a consistent approach to cybersecurity across the organization, making it easier to maintain and enforce security practices.
- IT empowerment: Policies provide IT staff with a clear mandate to enforce security measures, regardless of pressures from senior staff to bypass protocols.
By combining advanced technology with comprehensive staff training, CARF-accredited healthcare organizations can significantly reduce the risk of cyberattacks and ensure patient data remains secure.
Questions? Keiter’s Cybersecurity team can provide consultation and advice to help keep your healthcare practice secure. Contact us. Email or Call: 804.747.0000
About the Authors
Zac serves clients in the healthcare industry and is a leader in Keiter’s Healthcare and Medical Services Practice. He assists his clients with financial reporting in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, consulting on strategic business initiatives, as well as helping them understand the accounting and financial reporting implications of complex equity transactions and implementation of new accounting standards. Read more of Zac’s accounting insights on our blog.
Jim works predominately with clients in the medical and dental industry where he provides tax planning and compliance services related to practice acquisitions and transitions. Jim strives to add value to his client relationships by being a trusted advisor. He is a leader in Keiter’s Healthcare and Medical Practices team. Read more of Jim’s accounting insights on our blog.
Rachel brings a passion for providing superior value to her assurance and audit clients through the highest form of quality service. Understanding her clients’ organizational missions and providing tailored engagement services is paramount to her approach. Her clients include healthcare companies, and she is a member of the Healthcare and Medical Practices team. Read more of Rachel’s accounting insights on our blog.
Chris is a Senior Manager in Keiter’s Risk Advisory Services. Chris has a strong combination of IT skills, which range from IT audit and internal control assessments, including general computer controls and application controls, to full stack web development. Most recently, Chris developed a Cybersecurity web application that assesses an organization’s resistance to social engineering attacks. Chris shares his cybersecurity insights on our blog.
The information contained within this article is provided for informational purposes only and is current as of the date published. Online readers are advised not to act upon this information without seeking the service of a professional accountant, as this article is not a substitute for obtaining accounting, tax, or financial advice from a professional accountant.
