Vulnerabilities in Healthcare Systems

Unfortunately, health records are valuable black-market items. The information is more difficult to protect than credit accounts since the information can’t be canceled or changed — like a date of birth. This type of information is big money for hackers because they snag valuable information that can be used to make fraudulent healthcare claims.

A few reasons healthcare systems are vulnerable:

• Computer systems may not be updated or have the proper security programs installed
• Many systems in the medical industry were not designed to be used online, making it difficult to create secure online systems that can effectively replace them
• Ransomware, malware, insider attacks, and handheld devices are all threats to healthcare data

Information gathered and stored for healthcare reasons have unique vulnerabilities, and those have to be protected on a daily basis by IT security specialists.

IT in Healthcare

As the amount of data being stored online and its black-market value increases, so does the need to protect it. Healthcare facilities must make cybersecurity a priority to protect patients and themselves, mainly to avoid fines and lawsuits. It also ensures patients can trust their healthcare organization to keep them healthy as well as protect their information.

How IT plays a critical role:

• Systems are more secure when the organization controls every aspect
• Handheld and IoT devices need to be protected and monitored
• Data and systems need to be reviewed consistently for breaches, manipulation, and theft
• Plans should be in place for both protection and disaster recovery

The IT Professional in Healthcare

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for cybersecurity professionals is growing at 28%, much faster than the majority of occupations. Pair that with the constantly busy world of healthcare, and you’ll find job security won’t be an issue.

And while advanced degrees may be important, industry certifications are essential when pursuing this career. IT experts must be willing to stay updated on the latest technologies that will protect personal data in healthcare systems.

Lifelong learning is important, especially since there are always new skills to be learned. Employers’ needs often change quickly, and your ability to adapt in the healthcare setting is a must in order to be successful as an IT specialist.

Healthcare Systems Need IT Security Daily

Healthcare organizations have to address IT security to protect their patients and themselves. The rapid pace of technological advances and hacker savviness has created the need for IT specialists to be permanent fixtures in healthcare establishments.

Because the technology landscape can change so quickly, the demand for IT pros to step into positions now is why certified professionals can easily step into IT roles. Luckily, gaining the knowledge needed to step into a rewarding career can take as little as 12 weeks.

As long as you have a passion for technology and a love of learning, you can easily train for positions that make a difference now and in the future to keep the integrity of healthcare systems’ digital records in tact.

Ready to enroll in an IT program? Learn more about a variety of IT specialist training programs that can set you up for a career in IT for life.