Healthcare Organizations at Risk: BYOD and Mobile Devices are Increasing Cybersecurity Concerns

The following is a guest article by Kern Smith, Mobile Security Expert at Zimperium The healthcare industry has been transforming radically over the past decade with the common goal of improving the way healthcare is delivered to patients. In the last few years alone, we’ve watched as healthcare organizations have quickly become mobile-powered businesses with the migration to electronic health records, patients increasingly using mobile apps to view test results, schedule appointments, contact their care provider, and even control their medical devices. Although this shift has brought many advantages such as more accurate and up-to-date patient information, quick access to patient records, improved patient outcomes, and better communication between patients and their providers, that’s not to say it has come without risks, especially to patient security. Risks Healthcare Organizations Face in this New Mobile-First Environment The healthcare sector has always been a prime target for cybercriminals. Healthcare organizations store an extensive archive of personal health information (PHI) and their accompanying financial records that, if stolen, can be incredibly lucrative for the attacker and especially detrimental to the victim. The stolen data is often used to commit fraud, identity and intellectual theft, espionage, blackmail, extortion, etc., and sadly, often cannot be replaced. While apps and mobile devices are highly effective, affordable, and convenient ways for medica...
Source: EMR and HIPAA - Category: Information Technology Authors: Tags: Ambulatory C-Suite Leadership Health IT Company Healthcare IT Hospital - Health System LTPAC Security and Privacy Healthcare Cybersecurity Healthcare Risk Assessment Healthcare Security Kern Smith MITM Attacks Mobile Security Mob Source Type: blogs