Rapidly evolving technology, policy developments and consolidation are putting new security demands on provider organizations
by John DeGaspari, Managing Editor +Healthcare Informatics Magazine
"There’s a storm brewing in the healthcare security and privacy arena that will stretch the resources of even the most nimble healthcare provider organizations, as they face challenges on multiple fronts. On the policy side, providers will face steeper fines for breaches, backed up with tighter enforcement. Meanwhile, rapidly evolving medical devices, coupled with the emergence of mobile devices in the workplace, are requiring that providers reevaluate their security policies. At the same time, new care delivery and communication models, such as accountable care organizations (ACOs) and health information exchanges (HIEs), are remaking the healthcare delivery landscape—and the security and privacy policies that go with it.
As if this was not enough, these developments have been taking place at a time when data breaches at healthcare provider organizations are on the rise. In 2013, medical identity theft was up 20 percent compared to the year before, according to a report released last September by the Traverse City, Mich.-based Ponemon Institute. Malicious attacks have increased in number as well as the level of sophistication, say experts.
Meeting security challenges and protecting patient data will require extra vigilance, as well as rethinking how technology and policy decisions can help minimize those risks, according to security professionals interviewed."
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