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Imagine a hospital where over 80% of the staff regularly use their smartphones, laptops, and tablets to access patient records, communicate with colleagues, and update treatment plans. This is not a futuristic scenario but a present reality, with Bring Your Device (BYOD) policies becoming increasingly prevalent in healthcare.
As the healthcare industry embraces this trend, the convenience of using personal devices promises enhanced productivity, cost savings, and improved patient care. However, this shift also raises significant security concerns. Striking the right balance between convenience and security is crucial in BYOD healthcare environments.
In this blog, we’re breaking down the opportunities and challenges of BYOD in healthcare and how a managed service provider (MSP) like Charles IT can offer solutions that ensure both efficiency and protection.
What are the Benefits of BYOD in Healthcare?
There are several reasons why Bring Your Device (BYOD) policies are becoming more and more popular in the healthcare sector, but let’s break down the top three ways it benefits both healthcare providers and patients.
Enhanced Productivity
Many would say that one of the main advantages of BYOD is enhanced productivity, considering that employees are already familiar and comfortable with the devices that they need to use at work. Because of that familiarity, healthcare professionals can work more efficiently and are less likely to have technical problems since they’re already accustomed to their devices’ interfaces and capabilities. It also allows them to take advantage of different apps and features that they may have discovered on their own, which could assist them in getting their job done more effectively.
Additionally, BYOD policies can eliminate some of the time-consuming training for new employees because, once again, they already know how to use one of the devices needed to do their job. That means they can hit the ground running and have one less thing to learn during their onboarding.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning that employees may feel more motivated and invested in their work when they can use their devices because it gives them more control over their jobs, as well as flexibility in their day.
Cost Savings
Another major benefit of having a BYOD policy is that it allows organizations to cut costs. That’s mainly because they no longer have to provide each of their employees with a company-issued smartphone, laptop, or even camera. That allows businesses to save money on purchasing a fleet of all those devices, as well as on whatever is needed to maintain them. As previously mentioned, BYOD also saves money on training since the employee is already familiar with how to use their device. Couple that with the increase in productivity, and it’s obvious that having a BYOD policy is cost-effective.
Improved Patient Care
Finally, an important benefit of BYOD is how it can significantly improve patient care by enabling faster access to patient information and allowing for better communication among healthcare providers. When employees use their own devices, they can quickly and easily access electronic health records (EHRs), diagnostic reports, and other important patient data from anywhere within their facility. This allows for more timely and informed decision-making, which reduces the waiting time for patients to receive care. For instance, a doctor can review a patient’s lab results on their smartphone during a bedside visit and make immediate adjustments to treatment plans without having to leave and log into a hospital computer.
Moreover, BYOD leads to better communication and collaboration among healthcare teams. Personal devices equipped with collaboration apps allow for real-time communication between doctors, nurses, and other staff, helping everyone involved in a patient’s care be on the same page. This can be particularly crucial in emergencies where quick and coordinated action is necessary.
What are the Security Risks of BYOD in Healthcare?
While implementing a Bring Your Device (BYOD) policy in a healthcare organization has significant benefits, the downside is that it also comes with some major security risks. Three main challenges, for instance, include:
Data Breaches
Having a BYOD policy comes with the danger of someone gaining unauthorized access to patient information, or in other words a data breach. The healthcare industry is a valuable target for cybercriminals especially since patient data like medical records are very lucrative on the dark web. Personal devices often lack strong security controls to protect against cyberattacks too, because there are usually no pre-installed security settings or controls on the device put in place by an employer, like encryption, regular security updates, and anti-malware protection. The diversity of devices and operating systems in a BYOD environment further complicates security management, as it becomes a challenge to enforce consistent security protocols across the company.
Device Loss or Theft
With BYOD, there is also the potential for sensitive data to be exposed if an employee’s device is lost or stolen. That’s because a personal device will usually lack the necessary security controls to prevent that from happening. An example of this would be endpoint encryption, which ensures data on devices such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets is encrypted and inaccessible without proper authorization. An unauthorized user can also access sensitive data in a lost or stolen personal device if the employee doesn’t implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) either. That requires users to provide two or more verification factors, such as a password and a fingerprint, or a code sent to a mobile device, to gain access to a system.
Malware and Viruses
Lastly, BYOD can also increase the healthcare organization’s vulnerability to cyberattacks since personal devices are susceptible to malware and viruses. That’s because they’re often insecure against threats like spyware, phishing, or malware-infected text messages. Once a device is infected, malicious software can spread quickly through a network, stealing or corrupting patient records, disrupting operations, and potentially causing data breaches. Furthermore, healthcare professionals may inadvertently download malicious apps or visit compromised websites from their devices in their time, which would introduce threats to the healthcare system.
What are Some Strategies for Balancing Convenience and Security in BYOD?
There are ways to make having a Bring Your Device (BYOD) policy work for a healthcare organization though, if there are strategies that balance the convenience of an employee using their device with the security needed to protect sensitive patient data. Some of these strategies are:
Implementing Strong Security Policies
If a healthcare organization allows for BYOD, then they should have guidelines for device usage and data protection. This should be a clear statement about what the company’s policy on personal devices is so that everyone understands what is and is not permitted. More specifically, these guidelines should clarify what types of data can be stored on personal devices, as well as what networks can be connected to, and who is responsible for secure management.
Utilizing Mobile Device Management (MDM)
Using Mobile Device Management or MDM solutions to monitor and manage personal devices can be helpful in a BYOD policy since an employee is using their device to access patient information. A healthcare organization can require that personal devices be part of the MDM system so that administrators can secure them in whatever ways they deem necessary. That can include requiring device encryption so that data can be wiped remotely if a personal device is lost or stolen, or implementing a feature that blocks applications that shouldn’t be installed for security reasons.
Requiring Encryption and Authentication
A BYOD policy should require that employees implement data encryption and multi-factor authentication on their devices. Endpoint encryption ensures that all data stored on personal devices is securely encrypted, making it inaccessible to unauthorized users even if the device is lost or stolen. MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring healthcare professionals to verify their identity through multiple factors, such as a password and a fingerprint or a code emailed to them. This makes it much more difficult for cybercriminals to gain access to the healthcare network, even if login credentials are compromised.
Conduct Regular Training
Finally, healthcare organizations should educate their staff on best practices for device security. That way, they can stay ahead of any security breaches by being the first line of defense. Healthcare professionals should be aware of the potential risks associated with using personal devices, such as malware, phishing attacks, and data breaches. Training programs can also teach them the importance of regular software updates and how to recognize and avoid suspicious links or attachments. Also, well-informed employees are often more likely to adhere to security protocols and report suspicious activities.
What is the Role of MSPs in Securing BYOD in Healthcare?
Managed Service Providers (MSPs) play a crucial role in implementing those strategies that will secure BYOD environments in healthcare. By partnering with an MSP, healthcare facilities can ensure that patient data remains protected while allowing their employees to benefit from the convenience of using their devices. MSPs can support healthcare organizations with:
Comprehensive Security Solutions
- Customized Security Plans: MSPs can develop tailored security plans that address the specific needs of healthcare facilities.
- Advanced Encryption and MFA: MSPs implement endpoint encryption and multi-factor authentication (MFA) to safeguard sensitive patient information.
- Secure Access Controls: MSPs can ensure that personal devices connecting to the healthcare network comply with security protocols by setting up secure access controls.
Continuous Monitoring
- 24/7 Threat Detection: MSPs provide round-the-clock monitoring to detect and respond to potential security threats.
- Real-Time Alerts: MSPs can issue real-time alerts to healthcare organizations in the event of a security incident.
- Proactive Threat Management: MSPs use advanced threat detection tools and techniques to identify and address vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by cybercriminals.
Expertise and Best Practices
- Specialized Knowledge: MSPs bring specialized knowledge in cybersecurity, staying up-to-date with the latest threats and trends in the industry.
- Implementation of Best Practices: MSPs implement best practices for securing BYOD environments by having experience under their belts.
- Training and Support: MSPs can provide training and support to healthcare staff, equipping them with the skills needed to safely use their devices.
Conclusion
All in all, balancing convenience and security in BYOD healthcare environments is essential to harness the benefits of personal device use while protecting sensitive patient data. While BYOD policies can significantly enhance productivity, cost-savings, and patient care, they come with substantial security risks, such as data breaches, malware, and viruses. Implementing strong security measures like endpoint encryption, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and employee training is crucial to avoid those things.
With that said, healthcare providers are encouraged to take proactive steps to implement strong BYOD policies. By addressing the potential risks and investing in the right security measures, healthcare organizations can enjoy the advantages of BYOD without compromising security.
Managed Service Providers (MSPs) like Charles IT play a vital role in supporting healthcare facilities with customized security solutions, continuous monitoring, and the expertise needed to implement best practices. For more information on how Charles IT can assist with BYOD security solutions, schedule a call with us today!
