In today’s healthcare landscape, a visit to the doctor often involves viewing and updating patient information on a computer screen. This digital document is known as an electronic health record (EHR). These have revolutionized healthcare, but serious concerns linger around cybersecurity. That’s because data breaches in the healthcare sector are taken very seriously, and the consequences can be devastating for patients and healthcare providers alike.

This blog explores how EHRs inherently enhance data security, and why prioritizing robust security measures is critical. We also introduce ATSG’s Managed Cloud solutions, specifically designed to safeguard confidential patient information within EHR systems.

Enhanced Data Security

EHRs offer a significant security edge over traditional paper health records. With robust access control mechanisms, EHRs ensure that only authorized personnel can access sensitive patient information. This reduces the risk of unauthorized access, and potential tampering with patient records.

EHR systems also employ advanced encryption techniques and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to protect data, both at rest and in transit, making it virtually impossible for hackers to decipher the information.

Additionally, detailed audit trails record every access attempt and subsequent activity, providing a clear picture of who accessed what information, and when. This empowers healthcare institutions to swiftly address any issues that might arise.

The Compliance Advantage of EHRs

Meeting regulatory requirements is a critical aspect of healthcare. Take the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for instance, which mandates strict regulations for patient privacy.

Fortunately, EHR systems are designed with these HIPAA compliance requirements in mind. EHRs provide healthcare organizations with the tools to maintain high standards of data security, thereby avoiding costly penalties and enhancing patient trust.

Robust Disaster Recovery (DR)

Stakeholders in the healthcare sector are well aware that natural disasters, cyberattacks, and other emergencies pose significant threats to patient data. Secure EHR systems address these concerns with robust disaster recovery (DR).

These secure off-site backups ensure patient information is readily available, even during unforeseen events. This enables healthcare providers to maintain continuity of care, and minimize disruption for patients.

Reduced Risk of Breaches

The currently prevalent threats demands stronger cybersecurity across all industries, especially healthcare. This makes robust cybersecurity a non-negotiable priority. Secure EHR systems play a vital role in mitigating this risk. By proactively addressing vulnerabilities, EHRs act as a “shield”, protecting sensitive patient information from falling in the wrong hands.

This commitment to data security develops an inevitable trust between patients and healthcare providers, that ends up laying a solid foundation for strong patient and healthcare provider relationships. After all, trust is paramount in the complexities of healthcare, and secure EHR systems are essential for building that trust.

Improved Efficiency and Service Delivery

Beyond security, EHR systems also offer additional benefits, that contribute to the overall efficiency of healthcare delivery. Workflow efficiency reduces administrative burdens, allowing healthcare providers to focus more on patient care. EHR systems also help minimize errors, by providing accurate and up-to-date information at the point of care. This leads to improved decision-making and better patient outcomes.

ATSG Managed Cloud Solutions for EHR Security

That said, managing the security and infrastructure for EHRs in-house can be a complex and resource intensive task. ATSG’s Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and other fully Managed Cloud solutions can provide a secure and compliant environment – specifically designed for healthcare providers.

At ATSG, we leverage state of the art Equinix cloud data centers, renowned for their industry-leading security practices, and compliance with international regulatory standards like HIPAA. This ensures your EHRs are stored in a secure and compliant environment.

ATSG Cybersecurity Solutions for EHRs

The cybersecurity capabilities of ATSG are designed to safeguard your EHRs, with the following solutions:

• Identity and Access Management – IAM

  ATSG’s IAM solutions regulate access to EHRs, ensuring that only authorized users can access sensitive patient data. This robust access control mechanism is crucial in preventing unauthorized access, and maintaining patient privacy.

• Managed Detection and Response – MDR

  With ATSG’s MDR services, threats to EHRs are proactively monitored, detected, and mitigated. This advanced threat detection system leverages automation to monitor for suspicious activities, round the clock, ensuring that cyber threats are identified and addressed, before they can cause harm.

• Breach Containment

  In the event of an infiltrated threat, our breach containment capabilities are designed to minimize the damage, and contain the adverse impact by isolating the threat, and preventing any further lateral movement. This ensures that any potential breaches are mitigated with minimal disruption to healthcare operations.

Conclusion

Undoubtedly, EHRs have revolutionized access to medical records, allowing healthcare providers to quickly understand a patient’s treatment history, and access other essential data. This leads to faster, more informed patient care. However, their effectiveness hinges on robust data security as well.

By prioritizing data security, HIPAA compliance, disaster recovery (DR) and robust cybersecurity measures, healthcare providers can deliver patient care in a confidential and compliant manner.

Contact us to learn how ATSG’s Managed Cloud and Managed Security solutions can enhance the cybersecurity and compliance posture of your healthcare organization, enabling you to uphold the highest standards of patient data protection.