Personal health data, Social Security numbers, and credit card numbers are just a few of the most sensitive pieces of information that healthcare providers store, handle, and transmit. A 2021 Tessian report reveals that incidents of data loss are on the rise and occur 38 times more frequently than leaders anticipate. According to that report, remote work is also having an effect on data security. Half of all employees said they felt “less secure” when working outside of the office, and 42% said they were “less likely to follow safe data practices when working remotely.” By preventing potential data leaks before they occur, data loss prevention (DLP) solutions help IT leaders gain greater control over their data. Strengthen DLP System Visibility.
DLP technology only works when it can see the data it needs to protect. In an ideal environment, this means combining endpoint DLP agents with network-based DLP sensors and cloud-focused DLP enforcement points. The greater visibility that DLP has into your enterprise IT environment, the more likely it will be to spot and stop a potential leak.
2. Define Permissions and Set Access Controls
The principle of least privilege is a pillar of information security for a good reason: It works. Only those individuals who require access to sensitive patient records for their work should be granted permission to do so. Most likely, billing clerks do not require access to patient lab results. Patients’ payment histories are not required to be seen by doctors. Lock down records to limit access and you’ll reduce the impact of a potential breach.
