The healthcare industry gives great importance to security. This is because these organizations deal with private and confidential information. The technological age has also brought with it ransomware attacks. These may occur due to the high volume of data once has to deal with. Moreover, dealing with this information can also be complex at times. This is why it is important to have software that is also well protected. It is also an important part of HIPAA compliance. In order to make sure that there is minimal chance of any kind of breach, we can take certain steps.
Two-Factor Authentication
A common method that is implemented by various firms all over consists of the username and password. They have tried to improve its security by introducing character limits, alphanumeric requirements, and automatic expiry. However, they have still failed to be a huge hurdle for hackers. This is why two-factor authentication is considered. It provides an extra security guard through the help of physical or biometric control. It has been introduced through swipe cards, security token, facial recognition, and fingerprint scanners. These factors will make it difficult for the attacker, especially if the latter two mentioned in the list are used.
Security Monitoring and Alerts
Medical Billing companies already make use of proactive monitoring. It helps to make sure that the IT staff is notified about any kind of issues that may take place. This includes problems with regard to performance degradation, unanticipated outages, or storage capacity. Security monitoring systems are of a similar nature. They help to identify any problems that arise in usage patterns as well as any other exceptions that may occur. This helps the company to deal with the problem timely, resolving it before it can become a bigger issue.
Encryption
It is vital for IT departments of medical billing companies focus on secure encryption of data. This is especially applicable if the data is transmitted to an external party. The protection makes sure that no third party interferes with the confidential data. However, Encryption is also important for idle information as that is usually left unprotected. By adding another hurdle for the intruders, you can rest more easily. This would make it difficult for the attacker to properly decipher and distribute data as well. Therefore, encryption will keep the data protected even if it is accessed in some way.
Application Control
Application Control, like the name, suggests revolves around limitations. It is known as Whitelisting because it only allows access to those listed on the “whitelist”. This means that only the verified applications, users, systems and devices get to be part of the network. It does not provide access to ant one else. A whitelist can seem like a tedious task to put together but its presence can give you just the security blanket you need. It will make sure no vulnerabilities are present in your system which can be attacked by hackers. This will make it more impenetrable which is just what an organization wants.
Secure Backup
It is better to be prepared for all situations. Therefore, companies are encouraged to have a backup copy of their data. This way, if a breach takes place, not all hope would be lost. This would provide a greater sense of security to everyone. It would enable operations to take place even in that case, without any major damage. For a backup to provide such protection, it should be updated consistently. It should also be made sure by the IT department that the backup is secure. This security can be provided if the backup is in no way directly connected to the compromised systems.
Blockchain
This is a comparatively new addition to the healthcare industry. Even though it has not been adopted by many, its benefits are well known. It is considered to be highly secure as well as a reliable method. Blockchain makes sure that a singular entity does not have total control of the information. Instead, it distributed the data across the system, making it a great layer of protection. There are various entities involved in this option therefore, the health records stay virtually safe. As a consensus is required, the data cannot be easily tampered with or altered in any way.
Appoint Experts
The IT department of a medical billing department must be given importance. In order for it to function rightly, specialists must be hired. These would make sure that security is running smoothly. If the IT personnel are burdened with too many tasks, a good performance would be difficult to achieve. Therefore, a proper specialist for a specific task may ensure efficiency and effectiveness. A standard we cannot achieve otherwise. With the help of these experts, you can also teach the other employees about the correct protection practices. This would decrease the burden on IT as well as promote coordination in security efforts.
These tips can prove helpful for you if properly applied. However, it should be noted that the industry is made up of different firms. Each firm has its own operations and therefore, its security must be customized according to its needs. Selecting the best security controls for your business can make a great deal of difference. Through proper research and implementation, such medical billing companies can reach a high level of efficiency and effectiveness.