What Hospitals Need to Know About Remote Access Hacks

The term remote access refers to the ability for employees to access their hospital’s network from anywhere. Since this enables employees to stay connected from anywhere as long as they have Internet access, it’s easy to understand the productivity benefits that remote access can offer. Because of those benefits, more hospitals are opting for remote access systems. While there are definite upsides to remote access, it’s important to be aware of the potential downsides as well.

The biggest issue with a remote access system is that it provides a potential attack pathway for hackers. How significant is this issue? Research shows that insecure remote access is the leading cause of data breaches and hacks. Given the type of sensitive data that hospitals are responsible for protecting, this form of security needs to be taken very seriously.

Not only are remote access hacks the source of high-profile data breaches like Target’s compromise of over 40 million credit and debit cards, but identify theft within the medical industry has increased 21.7% since last year.

How Can Hospitals Strengthen Their Remote Access Security?

When it comes to breaching remote access systems, improperly configured remote management tools are the most common target. The reason hackers target this element of a system is because it makes it possible for them to bypass the system’s firewall and gain remote access to the core system.

While IT security for remote access isn’t a topic that should be taken lightly, the good news is there are a handful of steps that can be taken to significantly increase security. Although the steps are fairly straightforward, the reason they are surprisingly effective is because many organizations never take the time to implement them. As a result, having them in place will serve as a significant deterrent.

The first step is to ensure that every user has a unique username and password, and understands the importance of not sharing those credentials with anyone else. The second step is to require two-factor authentication. Of all the small wins that can occur, this is arguably the most significant. Next up is keeping firewall software updated. Fourth on the list is ensuring HIPAA compliance is maintained. Finally, it’s important to remind team members about the importance of data security on a regular basis. Those occasions should also be used to review current policies and make any necessary updates.

Because this is an issue with no margin for error, it’s crucial for hospitals to work with seasoned professionals. If you want to work with a team that has proven IT security experience, Full Sky Technologies can help. Contact us today at info@fullskytech.com or 513-206-9971 to discuss in detail how we can ensure that all your IT requirements are met in the most secure way possible.