Securing Healthcare Data Amid COVID-19

Amid the current pandemic, there has been an increase in cyberattacks targeting hospitals and healthcare facilities as cybercriminals attempt to take advantage of the global health crisis to steal data or spread dangerous malware. 

The World Health Organization (WHO), for instance, has noted that since the onset of the current pandemic, it has seen a dramatic increase in the number of cyberattacks directed at its staff, as well as e-mail scams targeting the public at large. The attacks are five times more than the number recorded in the same period last year.[1] 

In the Philippines, this reality has prompted the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to call for proactive measures to guard against cyberattacks.[2] 

As healthcare organizations seek to protect their patient information from these growing threats, Fujitsu Philippines, Inc., a leading Information Technology (IT) systems integrator and solutions provider, lists some important ways to achieve better healthcare cybersecurity. 

Establish a security culture. Ensure that all staff members are well-trained and informed about the risks and cyber-security, in general. It also pays to remind them that everyone is responsible for protecting the organization’s data.  

Prepare for BYOD. The Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) culture has been around for years and, there has been an increase in the number of healthcare providers using mobile devices at work. Encryption and other protective measures are critical to ensure that any information on these devices is secure. 

Use Firewall and Antivirus software. Anything connected to the internet should have a firewall. And, it should be supported by anti-virus software, which must be updated regularly.  

Control Access. Access to protected information should only be granted to those who need to view or use the data—this goes for both the network and physical access to healthcare data. It also pays to use strong passwords and change them regularly.  

Invest in Cloud. Cloud solutions have already been driving new levels of flexibility and cost-saving for organizations, including hospitals and healthcare facilities. For organizations new to the cloud, security is seen as a top concern—so much so, it is often regarded as a significant barrier to adoption.  

For those further along the cloud journey, on the other hand, while security remains as important, it is no longer seen as an issue, especially with the security benefits that cloud can offer.  

For instance, Fujitsu Philippines is already helping healthcare facilities deliver the benefits of cloud through the most complete range of cloud-based services. The results are already very clear for our cloud customers — new levels of business agility, greater cost efficiencies, and rapid innovation — all without compromising security, reliability, or control. 

The company’s local knowledge comes from its nearly five decades of operations in the country. By leveraging the collective expertise, experience, and work ethics of its workforce, Fujitsu Philippines has established a track record in designing, building, implementing, and maintaining ICT solutions, especially in difficult projects with complex technology architectures, nationwide geographic scope, and tight implementation schedules. 

Fujitsu Philippines has also made Japanese IT design and technology available through its server, storage, and scanning hardware and solutions. Fujitsu also offers cloud technology that provides relevant and cost-effective IT solutions to all organizations of various sizes and needs. 

To learn more about Fujitsu Philippines, visit its website at http://www.fujitsu.com/ph.