Healthcare security is more vital than ever. With so many attempted cyber attacks, we can be thankful that it is taken seriously. In fact, more than security, modern tech is also helping to advance patient care. From AI to the Internet of Medical Things, here are some examples.
Medical Cybersecurity Compliance
Because of today’s connected world, medical devices that use data must be compliant with specific standards. Any kind of new tech that uses data must be compliant. Medical device cybersecurity premarket submissions are required to ensure cyber risks are managed. Advancements in the field are driving growth and ensuring manufacturers keep medical data secure, with assistance from agencies such as the Healthcare Information Organization.
Healthcare Security Using AI
It can take around 277 days or 9 months for a legacy team to detect a cybersecurity breach. However, according to IBM, current AI systems can reduce this by 100 days, and even more so with the development of technology. Here are some ways AI is being used in health security:
- AI can detect anomalous behavior by analyzing the behavior of anyone using a system.
- By monitoring network traffic, AI can detect real-time threats such as malware.
- Automation can react to threats by isolating systems and notifying system admins.
Telltale signs of breach attempts, such as multiple access attempts to certain files, will alert AI quickly. AI will also check where network data is coming from and log potential threats. Through automation, AI can react very quickly and do more damage control than a network admin.
Medical Biometric Authentication
Authentication is among the more traditional yet powerful ways to increase medical security. Not too long ago, a username and password was all someone needed to access medical records and even other government systems. Thankfully today, authentication in healthcare has advanced to the point of being almost impenetrable. With tech such as biometrics that use fingerprints, facial recognition and iris scanners, medical data is safer than it has ever been.
Data Encryption in Healthcare Security
Encryption is one of the most robust systems you can use for any kind of digital security. Unless you have security agency-level hacking software, encryption makes data access pretty much impossible. You may use it at home, but here are a few ways encryption helps medically:
- Encryption keeps a medical system compliant with agencies such as HIPAA.
- Anyone trying to access patient records cannot do so without the decryption keys.
- Encryption reduces the impact of compromised systems and stolen data.
Encryption is powerful and convenient. But on top of these, it is also pretty easy to configure and use across any kind of system. Thus makes it a great candidate for medical clinics and places where medical data needs to be shared or stored. In short, it’s medical data, Fort Knox.
Remote Patient Monitoring
Because of the connectedness of devices today, many systems are able to “speak” to each other. In tech terms, this means the sharing of data. But not in the way most people think. Most data is secured, and the systems themselves are highly secure. Data such as heartbeat can be monitored using a device that sends the data to the tour doctor’s system. This is known as telemedicine and is fast becoming a convenient way (for doctors and patients) to see results.
Healthcare Security via the IoMT
You may have heard of the Internet of Things. Now, we have the Internet of Medical Things for medical devices. There are 30 million Americans with diabetes, and the IoMT can help monitor issues like this. Devices pass data between patients and doctors, helping in various ways:
- Wearable glucose monitors can alert patients when levels are problematic.
- Infection rates can be reduced with automatic reminders to wash hands in hospitals.
- Ingestible sensors can collect data from inside the body and report back to doctors.
Wearable tech is becoming more popular now, and all it takes is the right sensor and app. Simple notifications can be all a person needs to remember to do something important. However, tiny tech also allows doctors to delve deeper for more accurate readings.
Blockchain Technology Medical Uses
Blockchain is mainly used for cryptocurrency ledgers, but it has other uses, too. Because it is completely anonymous, it offers versatile security that other systems cannot. For example, medical records can be 100% private, and electronic records can be easily updated and come with an audit trail. Other uses of blockchain technology in the medical domain include tracking the spread of diseases, electronic healthcare record management, and securing genomic data.
Summary
Medical cybersecurity compliance is an example of how tech is helping with healthcare security. Encryption also has many benefits since data is pretty much useless without decryption keys. Blockchain tech is also providing enhanced data such as tracking the spread of disease.
