IT Services for the Health Care Industry: Security and Stability When It Matters Most
Protect patient data and increase productivity with IT services.
Articles published May 19, 2021 by Derrick Nicol
Those working within the health care industry have grown quite familiar with navigating technological change. The rise of electronic health records (EHRs) gave medical professionals a more holistic picture of a person’s health history. EHRs also caused the industry to take a look at how it collects, stores, and analyzes patient data — with an emphasis on protecting that data.
A report from the UC Berkeley Labor Center noted that “there exists an untapped potential for new technology to propel changes in health care delivery” and it also predicted that “COVID-19 may speed up some of these changes.” The rush to modernize the way we do health care in the U.S. also reflects a need for a stronger and more secure IT infrastructure in health care facilities.
We have identified three IT service areas that health care facilities should consider investing in to lay the foundation for future success in utilizing new technology to its full potential, including but not limited to, security solutions, cloud and data center services, and managed IT services.
Security Solutions Protect Your Patients and Your Data
Protecting patient data and other sensitive information remains a top priority for health care organizations. Failure to protect health information puts your business in violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and can result in fines or jail time.
Before investing in security solutions either a la carte or through a managed IT services provider, health care professionals should consider the role of cybersecurity in the health care industry.
HIMSS defines the role of cybersecurity in health care as “protecting electronic information and assets from unauthorized access, use, and disclosure.” The nonprofit organization also outlines the three goals of cybersecurity as “protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information.” There are several IT service solutions which can help keep patient or customer data safe that also work to keep your organization protected and compliant with HIPAA regulations.
Network and data security are crucial for any health care provider. With the right tools, you can control applications, optimize reporting, and leverage encryption. This results in a protected network architecture that goes beyond regulatory requirements while maintaining credibility.
Most reputable IT services providers have network specialists available to conduct a network security audit to identify areas of improvement and equip your organization with the right tools. Anyone operating within the health care industry needs to be proactive about IT services.
Backup and data recovery are two additional services that are critical for recovering and protecting organization and patient/customer data in the event of disaster or emergency. You will also want to invest in firewall and wireless security solutions to stay ahead of external attacks.
Learn more about the rising instances of ransomware activity in the health care and public health sector, creating additional burdens to an industry already battling COVID-19 challenges. The experts at Aureon are available to provide guidance on this and other security matters.
Cloud & Data Center Services Create Flexibility & Stability
Cloud technology continues to revolutionize the health care and life sciences industries. Electronic health records, electronic billing, and comprehensive staff management systems have all made it easier for doctors, nurses, account managers, and others to do their jobs effectively.
Where you store your data also matters, and making the move to a secure, cloud-based data center allows your employees to have access to the information they need when they need it. In a medical setting, this allows doctors and nurses to collaborate and provide better care.
Moving your operation to the cloud allows for easier communication between devices, team members, patients and their medical providers, and medical facilities. It also opens up new opportunities for telehealth, telemedicine, and telehospital services, including virtual care.
Managed Services Keep Your Technology in Check
Technology issues add unneeded stress to overworked health care professionals. That is why many health care facilities turn to managed IT services providers for assistance with their day-to-day IT support, including EHR transition, data backups, and HIPAA compliance.
A managed IT services provider can help you build up your cybersecurity defense system with expertise in firewall protection, network security, unified threat management, and more. They can also help transition your facility to the cloud to better serve patients and customers.
Learn more about how managed IT services benefit the medical field, including organizations and their patients, in this Aureon case study featuring Midwest Nephrology Consultants.
IT Services Provide Security and Enhance Productivity
Data security and easy access to patient or customer information are critical for those who work within the health care industry. A managed IT services provider can help put the infrastructure in place to keep your organization running smoothly while protecting your data from cyber threats. This can ultimately reduce employee stress and result in better patient or customer care.
How secure is your patient and/or customer data? Are there any areas where your organization could benefit from outsourced or managed IT services?