Quick Highlights:
- Health informatics combines AI and data management to improve healthcare outcomes and protect patient data.
- Cybersecurity is critical, using firewalls, encryption, and antivirus programs to protect against data breaches and cyber threats.
- Emerging trends in cybersecurity include AI, blockchain, real-time threat detection, and multi-layered security strategies.
- Best practices for cybersecurity in health informatics include regular training, access controls, strong password protocols, and data encryption measures.
Table of contents
Health informatics is a thriving industry with many job opportunities. It combines healthcare, communications, and information technology to help patients and doctors achieve better results. Health informatics students also learn how to improve patient data protection and prevent healthcare cyber threats.
Unfortunately, cybersecurity in healthcare is a major issue. Hackers and cybercriminals steal financial and personal data from unprotected systems. AI in cybersecurity can protect patients and healthcare providers from online threats.
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Understanding Cybersecurity Basics
Cybersecurity is like the digital version of a building’s security systems against intruders. A building may be protected by a fence, surveillance systems, and cameras. Similarly, healthcare cyber threats are stopped by firewalls, encryption, and antivirus programs.
Encryption is similar to sending a coded message. Instead of simply transferring private data from your computer to another computer, the system encrypts the data so that it is unreadable to any cybercriminals. Then, the data is transmitted to another computer where it is decrypted using an encryption key.
Similarly, firewalls are another way to implement cybersecurity in healthcare. It shields your network by filtering what kind of data enters it. By filtering data 24/7, the firewall can prevent unauthorized access to your network. This reduces the threat of health data breaches and cybersecurity attacks.
Health care cybersecurity also includes antivirus programs. An antivirus program is designed to detect and delete malicious code or malware. By doing this, it can provide better patient data protection.
Health data breaches can be incredibly expensive. The average cost of a phishing attack is $4.76 million according to the IBM Security Cost of a Data Breach Report. Beyond the financial cost, healthcare cyber threats can have other costs as well. They can impact the trust patients place in their providers. If a client knows that their personal information and medical data aren’t protected, they may decide to switch providers.
There is another consideration as well. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other regulations require patient data protection and privacy. If you don’t take appropriate measures to protect patient privacy, you can end up facing stiff penalties.
Emerging Trends in Cybersecurity Affecting Health Informatics
There are many different trends in health informatics cybersecurity that are developing. For instance, AI in cybersecurity is one of the biggest trends in the field. With AI, organizations can instantly analyze, manage, and collect data. This allows them to immediately scan incoming data for malicious code.
Among today’s modern health industry cybersecurity practices, the following list includes the most popular trends in the field.
- Blockchain: Through blockchain technology, companies can improve health care cybersecurity and ensure data integrity.
- Artificial Intelligence: AI has improved the way companies can analyze, store, and use data. When it comes to cybersecurity and health facilities, AI can help analyze and protect against threats proactively through different AI applications, source data, and algorithms.
- Devices: Another important trend in health informatics cybersecurity involves devices. New technology will make it easier to incorporate wearables and telemetry devices into healthcare systems, but security and privacy risks will be an issue.
- Vectors of Attack: The way hackers target healthcare systems is changing. For example, cybercriminals can now target wearable devices. Phishing will remain a huge risk because human error is always an issue.
- Real-Time Detection: Because of AI and other technology, it is now possible to perform real-time threat detection. This helps to prevent the number of attacks that get through cybersecurity measures and the damage they can cause.
- Multi-Layered Strategies: Thanks to the seriousness of healthcare cyber threats, many companies have adopted multi-layered strategies. Like layers of Swiss cheese, each additional layer of security filters out more security risks and catches any threats that weren’t found in a previous layer of security.
Best Practices for Cybersecurity in Health Informatics
Once you have received your master’s in health informatics, you can get hired in many different roles. In order to carry out your job, you will need to ensure patient data protection. With the following strategies, you can safeguard patient data.
Provide Regular Training
The field of health informatics cybersecurity is constantly changing. To protect your organization, you must know the latest strategies and techniques. More importantly, other workers at your organization must be trained on healthcare cyber threats, such as phishing attempts.
Add Access Controls
One of the most important techniques to improve cybersecurity in healthcare is to add access controls. You don’t need to give every employee access to all of the information. Instead, it is important to limit each employee’s access so that they can only look at the information that is absolutely necessary for them to do their jobs.
Audit and Enforce Password Protocols
Unfortunately, passwords get hacked on a regular basis. Password security is one of the best things you can do to ensure patient data protection. As a part of this strategy, you should educate other employees about the importance of making strong passwords.
Conduct Risk Assessments
As new programs are adopted and protocols are changed, new risks will emerge. Because of this, you should conduct regular risk assessments to determine current threats and if your existing measures are enough to stop them.
Adopt Data Encryption Measures
Ideally, you should already have data encryption measures in place. With encryption, you can protect patients’ data. Even if a malicious actor is able to access the data, they won’t be able to read it.
Use Advanced Technologies
To protect your company’s data, you need to understand the latest data protection technologies. For example, multi-factor authentication and intrusion detection systems can prevent hackers from getting into your system. Because of advances in technology, many businesses are also using AI-based threat detection as well.
Preparing for the Future
There are many ways you can prepare for the future of cybersecurity and health informatics. Many professionals pursue a master’s in health informatics so that they can attain a promotion or a position of leadership in the industry. Some schools also offer certificates on AI in cybersecurity and cybersecurity in healthcare.
To prepare yourself for this industry, it is important to take classes in data science. Many data science tools are used in health informatics, so you need to have a solid understanding of how they work. Likewise, you should understand the fundamentals of computer programming and statistics.
Once you are hired in health informatics cybersecurity, there are a number of ways you can remain current on the latest trends.
- Blogs: You can follow different blogs on cybersecurity in healthcare if you want to learn about updates as they develop.
- Podcasts and Webinars: If you have a long commute to work, a podcast or webinar is an excellent option for continuing education.
- Journals: Cybersecurity journals tend to be more technical, but they are the best place to go if you want in-depth research on the latest trends.
- Conferences and Events: Another way to learn about new trends is by signing up for conferences and events. Plus, this is a good way to network with other people in the industry.
Prepare for a Future in Health Informatics
Whether you are passionate about patient data protection or love learning about cybersecurity, health informatics cybersecurity is a rewarding career field. Cybersecurity in healthcare is incredibly important to prevent malicious actors from harming your company. By prioritizing cybersecurity in your studies, you can stop healthcare cyber threats and prepare for a future career in health informatics.