In the News
In Hospitals Exposed by Connected Devices, Phil Muncaster reports that hospitals may be utilizing thousands of Internet-exposed devices with unpatched vulnerabilities, threatening the hospital’s records and confidential patient information. Muncaster suggests that hospital cybersecurity is lacking because of limited resources and vulnerable third-party vendors.
Our Take
When providing personal information to medical professionals, you do not expect this information to be compromised. The security of medical records and personal information are critical to maintaining confidentiality and trust in medical settings. Although connected hospitals allow for extensive collaboration and medical advancements, the exposure of hospital devices due to this shared connection pose a threat to hospital information and customers.
Recommendations
There may not be much that you can do when it comes to medical data security, as you usually have little say over their practices, little knowledge of them, and little choice in where you go.
So how can you protect your information?
- Only provide essential information on medical forms or other legal documents
- Check your email, financial accounts, and credit reports regularly for abnormal activities
- Take note of the attitude your medical professionals take toward data security and privacy: do they leave you alone in a room with the computer logged in? Do they discuss your wellness in open areas where other patients might hear? If you feel uncomfortable, reporting your experience to the office or finding another place to visit may be appropriate