Healthcare data is sensitive and it usually needs better data protection practices in comparison to big data in many other fields of work. Laptops being used for data transfer and sharing by healthcare staff sometimes pose as a threat to the security of healthcare data if they are unsecured. More than half of the laptops being used in healthcare organizations lack the required security measures that they should actually have. When an organization’s data regarding patient health is accessed through unsecured laptops, the deficiencies in laptop security can become a data security breach threat. Cyber attacks are possible through the use of unsecured laptops.
These laptops which lack the required level of security are still the most important component which poses as a risk for intrusion that can lead to a possible data breach. Research has shown that there are various endpoint losses of data in case of unsecured laptop usage to access healthcare informatics system. There are various user permissions given in such cases and the dormant accounts can lead to critical risk issues. When unsecured laptops are used to access healthcare information through an organization’s healthcare informatics system, the system becomes vulnerable to data theft.
Data losses at endpoint are very high in such cases because of the various vulnerabilities that the system has in data storage or in prevention control of data loss. Research has shown that more than 50% of the systems are deficient in the prevention of data loss. This might mean that sensitive data can be sent to users who are not authorized to retrieve such data. Along with that, more than 60% of the laptops have limitations as far as the data storage security is concerned.
An alarming figure that research brings to light is that almost 99% of the laptops are deficient when it comes to information security regarding the external ports including the USB port and DVD ports. Thus what the healthcare organizations need to focus on is that their healthcare information security systems and methods that they are using for data security are implemented properly not only in the desktop computers but in the laptops which are given permission to access the data on the system. Risks associated with data breach should be kept in mind at all times to ensure that no such incident takes place in healthcare organizations.
Healthcare organizations need to focus on the vulnerability tests of their healthcare information systems so that issues like endpoint leakage and user authorization deficiencies can be reviewed. These areas are the most vulnerable and they make up major share of the risks that healthcare information systems face all the time.
Unsecure laptops can prove to be a major threat because it is possible to steal a laptop making the whole system vulnerable and at risk of a probable security threat. Organizations need to monitor such issues. If any data breach takes place due to unsecure laptop usage, it would mean that the healthcare organization would have to face penalty according to the risk that has materialized.