Business associates, human error and phishing are cybersecurity challenges impacting ASCs, according to a LinkedIn article written by David Hamilton, CEO of Mnet Health Services.
The key tips to know:
1. ASCs should create business associate agreements with vendors who have access to the ASC's patients' electronic personal health information.
2. Human error accounts for many cyber security incidents. Holding compliance meetings and training staff on HIPAA rules can help reduce human error.
3. Staff clicking bad links in emails can lead to phishing. Suspicious emails shouldn't be responded to because it can encourage further phishing attacks.
4. If an ASC falls victim to a ransomware attack —- when data is stolen and held until a ransom is paid — Mr. Hamilton recommended not paying the ransom because it doesn't guarantee the ASC will get its data back. Paying the ransom also encourages future attacks.
5. Encrypting important data protects it. If an ASC employee sends data to the wrong person in an email, encrypting the data keeps it safe.