The Importance of Cybersecurity in Cardiology Data Management Systems: 7 Things to Consider

In the rapidly advancing digital age, the healthcare sector is not immune to the threats and vulnerabilities that come with increased connectivity. In fact, the healthcare sector is the number one target for cyber-attacks on critical infrastructures¹ with the average cost of these data breaches being $10.93 million.² Cyber-attacks on hospitals and healthcare organizations can have devastating consequences that go beyond financial losses, including compromising sensitive patient data, disrupting critical services, and even endangering lives. ² Therefore, the importance of cybersecurity in healthcare continues to be topic of discussion.

Healthcare data is among the most valuable targets for cybercriminals.¹ Electronic medical records (EMRs) contain highly-sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, addresses, financial data, and detailed medical histories. The exposure of such data can lead to identity theft, financial losses, and potential harm to patients. Furthermore, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) imposes strict regulations on the handling of protected health information (PHI), making data breaches not only a threat to patient safety but also a potential legal liability for healthcare providers.

When evaluating any new enterprise health IT application, below are some crucial things to consider to ensure the product you select for your healthcare organization is secure.

1. International Standard Certification: Does the system you’re evaluating have an ISO/IEC 27001 certification? ISO/IEC 27001 is an international standard that provides companies of any size with guidance for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an information security management system. By obtaining this certification, your vendor can provide benefits including: resilience to cyber-attacks, preparedness for new threats, data integrity, confidentiality and availability, organization-wide protection and cost savings.³ Receiving and maintaining this certification highlights a vendor’s focus on the escalating cybersecurity threats, and their investment and commitment to protecting sensitive PHI.

2. Cloud-Based Hosting: Cloud data security can protect data that is stored (at rest) or moving in and out of the cloud (in motion) from security threats, unauthorized access, theft, and corruption. You may wish to consider vendors that have a cloud service option.

3. Data Encryption: Verify that the platform you are investigating encrypts data at rest and in transit, which can prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information. This encryption layer secures data from cyber threats and ensures that only authorized personnel can access patient records.

4. Access Control: Does your ECG management system provide granular access control, allowing healthcare providers to set user permissions based on their roles and responsibilities? This ensures that only those who need access to specific patient data can access it, reducing the risk of unauthorized disclosures.

5. Audit Trails: Be sure to select a platform that maintains detailed audit trails, logging all user activities and actions on patient data. This provides healthcare organizations with a record of who accessed what data, when, and from where. Audit trails are essential for identifying potential security breaches, investigating incidents, and complying with regulatory requirements.

6. Regular Updates and Patches: Accept only a system that releases regular updates and patches to address any vulnerabilities and strengthen its cyber security measures. These updates help ensure that the system remains secure and protected against emerging threats. According to the Department of Health and Human Services USA “keeping software up-to-date is critical to maintaining a secure system”. ⁴

7. Security Policies and Procedures: Lastly, make sure the software vendor you’re evaluating provides healthcare organizations with comprehensive security policies and procedures to help them establish a robust cybersecurity framework. These policies should cover topics such as password management, incident response, and disaster recovery, ensuring that healthcare providers are well-equipped to handle potential security threats.

The importance of cybersecurity in healthcare cannot be overstated, considering the sensitive nature of patient data and the potential consequences of data breaches. Baxter’s dedication to safeguarding healthcare data is demonstrated in  Cardio Server, its ECG data management platform. Cardio Server contains robust security features that play a critical role in protecting patient privacy and helping healthcare organizations comply with regulatory requirements. By prioritizing cyber security and proactively addressing vulnerabilities, healthcare providers can protect their organizations and instill trust and confidence in their patients, ensuring a secure and efficient healthcare environment for all.