Aug

07

Don’t let inadequate security be your downfall

By Dom Nicastro

Mobile devices-thumb drives, smartphones, external hard drives, tablets, and laptop computers-are creating risks for PHI exposure.

These mobile devices are increasingly exposing PHI, with the risk of privacy incidents ­increasing, ­according to the U.S. Department of Homeland ­Security (DHS).

Security threats against mobile devices include introduction of spyware and other malicious software, loss of treatment records or test results, and theft of patient data, according to the DHS report “­Attack Surface: Healthcare and Public Health Sector.” It states: “Since wireless medical devices are now connected to medical networks, information technology networks are now remotely accessible through the medical device.”

The rapid adoption of electronic health records is also accelerating the use of mobile devices in healthcare.

Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from a story in the September 2012 edition of the HCPro, Inc. newsletter Briefings on HIPAA. To purchase the complete article, click here.