5 Best Practices for Securing Patient Data | How Healthcare Organisations Can Prioritise and Secure Their Patient Records and Data

In today's digital age, healthcare organisations face significant challenges in protecting sensitive patient data. With the rise of electronic health records (EHRs) and the increasing use of connected medical devices and health data portals, the need for robust cybersecurity measures in healthcare has never been more critical. This blog explores the key strategies and best practices for safeguarding sensitive patient data in the healthcare industry.

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How can healthcare organisations take a more proactive approach to securing private health data and patient records?

Healthcare organisations store a vast amount of sensitive information, including personal identification details, medical histories, and financial data. This makes them prime targets for cyberattacks. In the third quarter of 2021 alone, 68 healthcare providers found themselves locked out of their networks due to ransomware. Between 2009 and 2023, 5,887 healthcare data breaches of 500 or more records were reported. Those breaches have resulted in the exposure or impermissible disclosure of 519,935,970 healthcare records.

It is clear that protecting health data should be prioritised, as the consequences of a data breach can be devastating, leading to financial losses, legal liabilities, and, most importantly, a loss of patient trust.  In this piece, we’ll explore how companies can take a more proactive approach with five best practices to boost health data protection.

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Five Best Practices For Securing Private Health Data

Best Practice 1: Encrypt Patient Data

Data encryption is one of the most effective ways to protect patient information from unauthorised access. Encryption ensures that data, whether at rest or in transit, remains unreadable without the appropriate decryption key. This is crucial in preventing data breaches, even if the information is intercepted by malicious actors.

In Australia, healthcare providers should adhere to the encryption guidelines set out by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC). Implementing Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) with a 256-bit key is recommended to secure sensitive patient data across all devices, networks, and storage systems.

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Best Practice 2: Implement Robust Access Controls

Access control is vital in managing who can view or modify sensitive patient data. By limiting access based on roles and responsibilities, healthcare organisations can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorised data access.

Regularly review and update access permissions to align with changes in staff roles. Incorporating multi-factor authentication (MFA) as recommended by the ACSC adds an additional layer of security, ensuring that only authorised personnel can access critical systems and data.

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Best Practice 3: Conduct Regular Security Training

Human error remains one of the leading causes of data breaches, which is why regular cybersecurity training is crucial for healthcare staff. These training sessions should educate employees on best practices for data handling, recognising phishing attempts, and using secure communication methods.

The ACSC encourages a culture of continuous learning, ensuring staff are up-to-date with the latest security threats and mitigation strategies. Regular training can significantly reduce the likelihood of a breach caused by employee mistakes, fostering a security-first mindset across the organisation. Implementing practices of the Essential 8 and tailoring it to your business is the best way to ensure all employees have solid references & guides when it comes to security.

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Best Practice 4: Secure Mobile Devices

The use of mobile devices in healthcare settings has increased dramatically, especially with the rise of Telehealth and remote work. However, these devices are often more vulnerable to security breaches, making robust mobile security protocols essential. Remote employees face various cybersecurity threats which are important to be prepared for, you can learn more about that here.

Implement Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to enforce device encryption, enable remote wipe capabilities, and restrict unauthorised app installations. Ensure that healthcare staff are aware of the risks associated with using unsecured networks and follow the ACSC’s guidelines for mobile device security.

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Best Practice 5: Develop a Comprehensive Incident Response Plan

Even with strong security measures in place, the possibility of a data breach cannot be entirely eliminated. A well-structured incident response plan is crucial for quickly identifying, containing, and mitigating the effects of a breach.

The ACSC recommends that healthcare organisations have a clear and actionable incident response plan, including procedures for breach detection, notification, and recovery. Regularly test and update this plan to ensure that your organisation can respond swiftly and effectively to any security incident.

For more insights on creating an ACSC-aligned incident response plan, check out their Practitioners Guide here.

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Conclusion

Protecting sensitive patient data is a critical responsibility for healthcare organisations. By implementing robust cybersecurity measures, educating staff, regularly updating systems, and complying with relevant regulations, healthcare providers can significantly reduce the risk of data breaches. Ensuring the security of patient information is not only about safeguarding data but also about maintaining the trust and confidence of patients in the healthcare system.

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