The digitalization of healthcare services has created greater ease and convenience for today’s patients. Access to medical treatment and services is faster than ever, and that added convenience and speed of digital health services (such as telehealth) resulted in 17% of all patient visits in 2023 being done remotely.
The digitalization of healthcare services has created greater ease and convenience for today’s patients. Access to medical treatment and services is faster than ever, and that added convenience and speed of digital health services (such as telehealth) resulted in 17% of all patient visits in 2023 being done remotely.
Yet, despite the technological advancements introduced by electronic health records (EHRs) and telemedicine platforms, these platforms come with risks. Cyber threats have become more sophisticated, and healthcare data is a prime target.
For healthcare facilities, protecting against these increasing attacks starts with cybersecurity training. In today’s increasingly digital landscape, training is no longer a nice to have—it’s a necessity. We’ll go into more detail below about the importance of training your staff on security best practices and the most important topics for you to cover.
The Importance of Cybersecurity Training in Healthcare
Think of your healthcare facility or practice as a fortress. Even the tallest walls or strongest gates aren’t enough if the people inside don’t know how to spot a threat or how to act when something arises. Cybersecurity training gives every member of your organization the tools to help defend it properly.
Healthcare professionals are on the front lines when protecting sensitive patient data. While IT departments work tirelessly to secure and defend systems, human error remains the biggest vulnerability. One study by Stanford Research found that approximately 88% of all data breaches happen due to an employee mistake. Training your staff on current cybersecurity practices can significantly reduce the chances of a data breach or other cyber threats.
It’s not just about protecting sensitive information; it’s about safeguarding your patients’ trust in you. With 75% of patients concerned about the privacy of their health data, it’s a big risk not to train your employees to defend against cybersecurity threats.
How Cybersecurity Awareness Training Limits the Risk of Threats
Cybersecurity awareness training is a proactive measure. By educating your staff on the common tactics today’s cybercriminals use—like phishing, ransomware, and social engineering—you’re giving them the knowledge to recognize and respond to those threats before they become a problem.
For example, if your staff is well-trained in cybersecurity, they’ll think twice before clicking on a suspicious email link or opening an attachment from an unknown sender. They’ll know and understand the importance of using strong, unique passwords and be more cautious about sharing sensitive information (like patient data) over insecure channels.
Put simply, the more aware your team is of potential security threats, the less likely they are to fall victim to them. Additionally, when they know what to look for, they can act as your first line of defense, and report suspicious activity before it escalates into a full-blown crisis.
5 Essential Components of Cybersecurity Training
When it comes to cybersecurity awareness training—whether it’s something you create internally or outsource—there are a few critical areas you need to focus on:
1. Phishing Awareness and Prevention
Phishing is one of the most common and dangerous forms of cyber threat. Educate your staff on how to recognize phishing attempts, such as suspicious emails, texts, or websites. Consider simulating phishing attacks to test their knowledge and reinforce best practices. The goal should be to create a culture within your practice where staff are constantly vigilant and skeptical of unexpected or unusual requests for information.
2. Password Management and Authentication
Weak or repeated passwords are a huge security vulnerability in any organization, particularly in healthcare. Ensure training focuses on creating strong, unique passwords for every program. You may want to consider creating a policy that requires regular password updates or training that educates staff on using passphrases—combinations of random words that are easy to remember but hard to crack.
3. Data Handling Protocols
How your team handles sensitive patient data is crucial to maintaining confidentiality and compliance with data laws like HIPAA. Training should cover best practices for data handling, including encrypting sensitive information, securely sharing data with authorized individuals, and understanding the legal consequences of data breaches. Your employees should also be trained to properly get rid of data, whether that means digital files or physical records, to prevent unauthorized access.
4. Device Security
Mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops are commonly used to access patient information, which means they need to be secure. Your training program should address the importance of securing these devices, especially when they’re used outside the facility. Emphasize the importance of using strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and encryption.
5. Incident Response
No matter how thorough your training is, incidents can still happen. That’s why your staff needs to know what to do if a security breach occurs or is suspected. Include a clear incident response plan that outlines the steps to take in the event of a cyberattack, such as reporting the incident to the IT department, disconnecting affected systems from the network, and preserving evidence for investigation.
One of the best ways to assess how effective your staff’s cybersecurity awareness is through simulated attacks. Consider looking at companies that specialize in sending out mock cybersecurity attacks to see how well your team responds. Think of it like a fire drill for your digital defenses.
Beyond Cybersecurity Training: Stay Informed and Prepared
While regular cybersecurity training is important, it shouldn’t be the only thing your practice is doing to prevent cybersecurity threats. Choosing healthcare platforms with robust security measures should be at the top of your platform wish list.
With RXNT, protecting patient data is easy. Our platform includes robust security measures, including single sign-on, data encryption, two-factor authentication, and more. Integrating RXNT into your practice can significantly reduce the risk of cybersecurity threats and keep your patient data safe.
Contact us today to schedule a demo.
