Introduction

The Healthcare industry is increasingly becoming the favorite target of cybercriminals. A recent study found that 95 percent of all identity theft can be traced back to patient health record loss. Protected health information (PHI) has become worth more than credit card information on the black market. Protecting your office and your patients’ data from online attacks is essential. In this post, we will provide you with seven essential tips to help you safeguard your medical office from cyber-attacks.

Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Multi-factor authentication is a security measure that uses two or more elements to verify your identity. MFA helps to protect your identity and decreases the chance of unauthorized access. Many healthcare organizations have use of MFA mandatory, but there are still some that make MFA a user option. Popular applications such as Gmail, outlook, slack, Facebook, LinkedIn and other healthcare related software recommend MFA. Using an authenticator app such as Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator is generally more secure compared to SMS or phone call.

Unfortunately, many users are still using weak passwords. The table below describes the length of time it takes for hackers to exploit weak passwords to potentially gain access to internal systems. Make sure that your password are at least 12 characters long and contain numbers, letters (lower and upper case) and special characters.

Protect your office Wi-Fi

An unprotected wi-fi network is a huge security risk. Using a strong password is a must to protect your network, and don’t share your wi-fi password with anyone external to your organization. External uses including patients can be granted access through an appropriately configured guest network which provides secure access rather than sharing your primary network.

Use Virtual Private Networks (VPN)

A virtual private network (VPN) is a popular way to grant secure access to mobile users. A VPN helps to encrypt your traffic to and front your data sets, thus adding a layer of privacy and defense from cyber-attacks. A VPN is an essential tool that helps organizations to accomplish various goals, such as:

• Hiding IP addresses and private information while browsing the Internet.
• Traffic encryption for data and identity protection.
• Remote access to company resources and apps.

According to survey conducted by Security.org, below are the reasons organizations use VPNs:

Use Anti-Virus Software

Anti-virus software has become essential for internet users, regardless of business or personal use.

Anti-virus software provides basic essential protection your computer and data. Below are some benefits of using anti-virus software for your office and home.

• Protection against file corruption and data loss due to ransomware infections.
• Some A/V software blocks malicious links which protects you against online scams and identity theft.
• Some A/V software additional firewall that can be customized to provide the more stringent security measures to protect your computer and network.
• Protection from execution of infected file downloads.

Use a Password Manager

According to Okta, smaller companies use an average 73 applications and larger companies around 175. Can you imagine the awkwardness of managing and sharing these with a spreadsheet not to mention the security risk? Password managers are an essential tool to store, share, secure passwords, and provide ease of use to your team. Some of the key benefits of using a password manager are:

• Generate strong passwords for every website.
• Save all of your credentials in one application.
• Use the password manager app across all devices and browsers, such as IOS/Android phones, Windows computers, Mac computers, and browser plugins.
• Create and store sensitive information/notes such as credit card information or billing addresses.
• Protect sensitive information from hackers.
• Share passwords and sensitive information securely with your team members.
• You don’t need to remember any passwords except the one you create for your password manager.

Use a Cloud Data Back-Up Service

A reliable cloud storage backup is a must for businesses of all sizes. Whether you’re just starting a small practice or you’ve been in business for years, a cloud backup solution can help protect your data and minimize the impact of an unexpected disaster.

Some of the key benefits of using a cloud data backup service are:

• Your data is kept safe and secure.
• Your data can be accessed from anywhere, making it easier for you to access it from your home, office, or a travel location.
• Cloud data backup options are flexible and you can decide which files to back up and the storage capacity you require
• Sharing important files securely becomes an easy task. A few clicks are all it requires for you to share folders and files with your team.
• Following government and organization regulations are essential. You can choose cloud storage services based on compliance, such as HIPAA compliance (required for healthcare companies).

Use an Ad-Blocker

No one likes ads, especially the flashy ads that tempt you to click on them. Here are some of the benefits of using an ad-blocker.

• Ad blockers help to reduce the amount of clutter you see on the screen so that you can focus on your work.
• It helps you to avoid clicking unnecessary ads that could land you on not-safe-for-work (NSFW) websites.
• It helps to avoid trackers and protect your privacy.

Conclusion

Implementing security policies is not only for medium/big businesses but also for small healthcare practices. Cybercriminals look for the easiest prey. If your organization is not properly secured, it could cost you a lot more in the long run than investing the time and resources required to secure your network.

Resources:

https://consumer.ftc.gov/
https://www.cisa.gov/
https://onclavenetworks.com/healthcare-security-whitepaper/
https://www.hivesystems.io/
https://www.security.org/resources/vpn-consumer-report-annual/
https://www.okta.com/businesses-at-work/2021/