Your Cybersecurity Checklist: Healthcare

The need for strong cybersecurity measures is more important than ever for the healthcare industry. There are many devices and interconnected systems holding sensitive information such as patient’s personal details and medical records. Healthcare organizations of all kinds need to protect this information at all costs. Not only for their own good and for the privacy of their patients, but also to comply with federal standards, such as HIPAA.

There is also a strong need for cybersecurity awareness for key staff members in the healthcare industry. From administrative staff to doctors, healthcare workers on the frontline are common targets for cyber criminals. There are plenty of hackers out there who specialize in the medical space and know just the right tactics for taking advantage of healthcare workers and focusing on specific networks to attack next.

Keep this healthcare-specific cybersecurity checklist on hand as you work to revise cybersecurity policies and procedures on an organizational level.

1. Have a Business Continuity Plan
   From a secondary internet provider to a cloud-based storage system, think about the critical processes your organization can’t function without. From there, create a “plan B” in case your most critical systems are down. Learn more about creating a disaster recovery plan here.

2. Utilize Two-Factor Authentication (2FA or MFA)
   From your file-sharing system to accounting, anyone with login access within your organization should be asked to go through a two-step authentication process (for instance, entering a code) or more, in order to prevent cyber criminals getting in.

3. Implement Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
   Some of the most sensitive data is kept within industries such as healthcare and finance. Consider implementing a Data Loss Prevention application, which detects sensitive data such social security numbers and other personally identifiable information (PII). DLP looks for suspicious patterns and helps to prevent cyberattacks on a consistent basis.
4. Have a VPN
   In case you weren’t aware, having a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is already a HIPAA requirement, and therefore a must for any healthcare organization. Essentially, a VPN system is a private network for employees-only to access files and other information that’s not available from public internet.

5. Never Keep Private Information on the Desktop
   A rule to absolutely include in your cybersecurity policy is for employees to never keep any private information (if any files, at all) on the desktop. Everything should be saved on your designated file-sharing network on the cloud to prevent lost data or cyber criminals easy access. 
   
6. Create Official Company-Wide Policies
   You should have multiple policies in place for your organization’s cybersecurity plan. From a “file storage policy” setting ground rules for where and when to save files, to a “network access policy” highlighting the backup plan if your primary internet network goes down, our team at MidnightBlue has witnessed first-hand the significant drop in non-secure activities for clients who’ve implemented clear policies.

Our team of experts at MidnightBlue is here to help guide your organization in the right direction should you need an extra set of eyes on your cybersecurity plan, or recommendations on the right software to help protect your business. Reach out to us at 412.342.3800 or support@midnightbluetech.com.