Protecting healthcare data, improving trust through security measures

Data security is of paramount concern to all healthcare organizations. In today’s digital age, protecting sensitive medical information is not just a regulatory requirement but a cornerstone of trust and business integrity. Patients and members expect data privacy, but are frequently disappointed by multiple data breaches. There are ways to mitigate data breaches and create an environment where healthcare organizations and the companies that support them can thrive and provide important healthcare services.

Safeguarding a healthcare organization’s data must be an unwavering commitment, which is continuously enhanced by an improved security framework designed to meet and exceed industry standards.

Strong security controls

To meet the needs of healthcare organizations, we have outlined a comprehensive set of security controls and protocols designed to protect against a wide range of internal and external threats. 

These controls include:

• Advanced encryption: Use state-of-the-art encryption technologies to ensure that data is protected both in transit and at rest.
• Access control: Limit access with strict control measures to ensure that only authorized personnel — at the healthcare organization and the company hosting the data — have access to sensitive information. This includes multi-factor authentication and role-based access controls.
• Continuous monitoring: Monitor systems continuously for any signs of unauthorized access or suspicious activity. This allows immediate responses to potential threats and minimizes any impact on data.
• Regular audits: Conduct regular security audits to identify and address any system vulnerabilities.
• Secure coding standards: Implement secure coding standards to eliminate vulnerabilities during the software development process, ensuring that applications are designed and built with security as a top priority. 

SOC2 and HITRUST certifications

Any company you work with must have SOC2 and HITRUST certifications. These are recognized benchmarks for data security and compliance in the healthcare industry. 

Maintaining these certifications involves a set of stringent and important guidelines and processes:

• Rigorous risk assessments: Identify potential risks to data security and implement measures to mitigate them.
• Policy development: Create and enforce comprehensive security policies that align with industry best practices and regulatory requirements.
• Employee training: Ensure that all employees — at the healthcare organization and the company providing the data storage environment — are trained in data security best practices and understand their role in protecting sensitive information.
• Third-party audits: Engage independent auditors to assess security controls and verify compliance with SOC2 and HITRUST standards.

Building trust with healthcare organizations

Trust is earned. No matter how big or small the organization, trust must be earned through transparency, consistent performance, and the highest data security standards. 

We’ve found additional actions that must be taken to gain trust and create a long-term relationship with a healthcare organization. 

We are committed to a secure data environment for all healthcare organizations and, importantly, an elevated level of openness. 

We believe in a considered and strategic approach to building trust in the data security process and in the company providing the data services:

• Clear communication: Keep healthcare organizations informed about security measures and any updates to policies.
• Partner collaboration: Work closely with partners to understand their specific security needs and address any concerns they may have.
• Active threat management: Stay ahead of emerging threats through continuous improvement and adaptation of our security controls.
• Secure data storage: Ensure the storage of medical and payment data, adhering to the highest industry standards and regulations.
• Data privacy compliance: Comply with all relevant data privacy laws to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access.
• Reliable data handling: Manage your data securely with the utmost care and precision, ensuring its integrity and confidentiality.

Companies that work with healthcare organizations must dedicate the organization to protecting data with the highest level of security. This should include internal and external security tactics, powerful security controls, a commitment to achieving SOC2 and HITRUST certification, and transparent communication practices to promote trust with your most sensitive information.

As data security experts, we know that the threats are never-ending and new ones emerge every day. With that in mind, building and implementing strategic policies and controls are the best way to mitigate internal and external intrusions and the private, personal health information entrusted to healthcare organizations.