EHR Software Security Reminder

Addressing Data Security Concerns in Compromising Digital Landscape

With the recent breach of trust and data from Facebook, we thought this was a good opportunity to reinforce the importance of data security, and how you can overcome the challenges of security with regards to your proprietary patient data.

There are several challenges to be aware of to make sure your data doesn’t get breached. It’s a worry that has to be addressed, even if you think it could never happen to your practice. Take a look at some of the most prominent areas of concern to be weary of when looking at the vulnerability of your practice.

1. Data Hacking: Obviously, now that the industry has transitioned to a digital landscape, the likelihood of hacking has increased. The concern has grown drastically as a result of publicly reported events of other large-scale digital entities being breached.If you’re one of those people that are continuously worried about hacking, here are some internal tips you and your practice can adopt. First and foremost, all EHRs should be both password protected AND encrypted for added security.When sharing patient data, these encryption practices should be utilized in order to ensure no one else will get their hands on that information.
2. Outdated Technology: Make sure that the software technology you are using is fully up to date with the latest safety protocols and practices. Technology is constantly evolving and electronic health records software providers are constantly updating their software with all new patches and updates.Stay informed on anything you can do to advance your technology in order to make it more secure.
3. Poor Training: A lack of quality training in it of itself can lead to security concerns within your practice. Upon adopting any electronic health records software, be sure to thoroughly train all members of your practice who will be regularly interacting with the software.

An example of poor training resulting in a possible breach could be a staff member not learning to logout correctly. This could lead to unauthorized users gaining access to secure patient data. EHR software administrators should constantly monitor access in order to address any sort of threats like this example.

Security is a very important concern for practices to take the time to study and look into. Providers should stay on top of trends in the industry, and constantly update their software with the latest security updates. After all, you can never be too safe when it comes to your patient data!