Healthcare Security Faces Critical Hurdles in MFA Implementation and Data Governance
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Healthcare organizations are grappling with increasingly complex security challenges, notably as updated regulations demand greater agility and responsiveness in protecting sensitive patient data. Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) and establishing robust data auditing practices are proving challenging, not due to a lack of awareness, but because of the unique operational realities within the healthcare ecosystem.
A core issue lies in the distinct functional areas of a hospital. While operational, administrative, and technological aspects mirror those of any buisness, the clinical component introduces unique workflow considerations.
The Clinical Workflow Challenge with MFA
The impact of MFA on clinical workflows is notable.Nurses, such as, often require access to multiple devices and applications throughout their shifts, across various locations. Even a short delay – as little as a minute and a half – caused by reauthentication can negatively impact patient care and disrupt the continuity of care model. As one source noted, “Workflow is greatly impacted by MFA.”
Beyond workflow disruption,healthcare providers struggle with the rapid lifecycle of user accounts,particularly with pro re nata nursing – where temporary,flexible staffing is required. Few hospitals possess the mature onboarding processes necessary to quickly provision and deprovision accounts for short-term staff, creating a security vulnerability.
Regulatory Pressure Demands Greater Agility
New security rule timelines are intensifying the pressure. Requirements such as one-hour access termination and 72-hour system restoration demonstrate a regulatory shift toward demonstrable operational agility. The focus is moving beyond simply having security controls to operating them effectively, measured by specific performance metrics. This necessitates highly automated processes, well-rehearsed incident response plans, and continuous monitoring capabilities.
Auditing and Data retention: A Growing Pain Point
Many healthcare organizations are starting from a baseline of limited auditing practices. Establishing a clear policy taxonomy for document retention is a primary challenge. A common default response to how long data should be kept is “forever,” driven by a desire to have records available for any potential issue. However, this approach is unsustainable, particularly with data-intensive elements like medical imaging, which consumes enormous storage space.
conversely,organizations often lack defined storage decay periods and the technological infrastructure to manage storage costs effectively. Healthcare organizations can learn from other industries, such as the payment card industry, which has established data security standards for over a decade. Protecting patient records must be prioritized,as they are even more valuable than financial details.
Expanding HIPAA Compliance Beyond Customary Providers
The scope of HIPAA compliance is expanding beyond traditional hospitals and clinics. Senior care facilities, such as, also handle protected health information (PHI) and are subject to the same regulations. As one official stated, HIPAA compliance is “all-encompassing within many environments,” extending to anyone who handles healthcare data. This includes organizations involved in financial and lifestyle management, not just direct clinical care, as the need to protect and transfer health information grows.
this article is part of HealthTech’s monitor blog series.
