in: Home Health Care, Company News
Hackers are now targeting a very valuable asset: the home healthcare software system. According to Cision, the proliferation of home healthcare software, along with health monitoring devices, increases the appeal of such systems to hackers and, by extension, the risk to those managing and utilizing such systems.
Managing a complex system of software, including remote health monitoring devices, time tracking apps for employees, and accounting software can seem overwhelming at times. Fortunately, there are solutions available to help secure data and provide added protection for highly sensitive information.
Home Healthcare Software Systems Are Vulnerable—and Valuable
Why is home healthcare software so vulnerable? First, it’s often managed across multiple devices. The more devices in use, the larger the chance that one will succumb to a cyberattack. Think of a castle wall with bricks made from clay, iron, and glass. Each offers varying resistance to an attack. If hit the right way, the glass brick shatters, but water can wash away clay. Depending on the attack, the invaders can get in through different means. The results are the same—the castle wall is breached.
The same may be said for software. If one is like the glass brick and it gives way under a hacker’s onslaught, criminals may be able to access the entire system through that gateway.
So not only are home healthcare software systems vulnerable to attack, they are also quite valuable. The data held within such a system may include patients’ names, addresses, social security numbers, insurance information, and similar information for their family members. Doctors, hospitals, and providers may be linked to the system, too, opening further gateways into more equally valuable records.
New Products, New Data, New Problems
A wide range of products has entered the market over the past few years, leading to more choices for patient monitoring. Apple Watches, for example, are now FDA approved to monitor and send health data to providers. Amazon’s Alexa is HIPAA compliant. And new devices used by healthcare providers, such as imaging technology, can be used remotely, too, providing additional data and potential problems.
Each of these additional devices adds to the complexity of the system and increases its vulnerability. With every benefit comes risk—risk that can be managed, but risk, nonetheless.
Securing the Infrastructure
Newer cloud-based healthcare agency accounting software offers a glimpse into the ways in which agencies can provide secure systems. Many automate procedures such as software updates which closes loopholes and gaps that criminals can exploit.
Cloud software provides backups and additional security, too, so even though multiple devices are linked into the cloud-based system, there are added protections for the data contained there. Additionally, automated screening programs can detect and warn of possible data attacks, alerting your company of potential problems.
New cybersecurity programs called SOAR (security orchestration, automation and response platforms) are an increasingly popular option to improve security for complex systems. This includes healthcare infrastructures which may connect with multiple parties to share data. Adding such systems to the whole can enable healthcare providers to use all sorts of independent monitoring devices to improve patient care and independence while still keeping data secure.
The Right Consultants Can Help With Home Healthcare Software Systems
The right home healthcare software system can improve productivity, efficiency, and communications. But choosing one that offers good security and ensuring the entire system functions smoothly is vital. That’s why Mindover Software offers consulting, training, and support for home healthcare agencies seeking accounting software. We’re here to help you choose the best solution and improve security to keep your patient records and other sensitive data safe.
For more information, call us at 512-990-3994.
