With so many healthcare professionals working from home, protecting patient information has become even more challenging. Since email is the most common healthcare communication method and given the recent increase in remote work, cybercriminals have more opportunities to hack unsecured emails.
Providers who don’t use encrypted emails put their patients’ protected health information (PHI) at risk. Furthermore, their negligence jeopardizes patient trust and puts their healthcare organization at risk of serious HIPAA violations.
So, what is encryption, and how does it work?
Encryption converts readable data into a coded format only authorized users can decode. It is a technical safeguard that helps providers maintain HIPAA compliance in today’s decentralized healthcare system.
Encrypted emailing platforms, like Paubox, protect patient data during transit and at rest. So, even if the data is intercepted, it’s unreadable to unauthorized individuals.
EndPoint Protector explains, “Data encryption protects [patients’] data by rendering it inaccessible, even if stolen. Decrypting well-encrypted data without the key is theoretically possible, but it would require all of the world’s computing power and many years to succeed.”
That’s why encryption stands out as the leading security measure for protecting patient data, no matter where or how it’s accessed.
In addition to improving data security, encrypted emails help maintain effective communication in remote work environments. For example, Paubox email automatically encrypts all outgoing emails, so providers can easily share patient information without the added stress of manually encrypting specific emails that contain PHI.
While encrypted email secures communication, its effectiveness is highly dependent on having well-trained employees who understand the security risks associated with remote work.
Healthcare organizations should check if their remote employees know how to identify a possible phishing attack. Are they using unprotected networks, like public Wi-Fi? Do they know how to recognize and report suspicious emails?
So, to get the most out of encryption, healthcare organizations must regularly train remote workers on data security practices and HIPAA compliance.
Looking ahead, data security in healthcare communication will be impacted by advancements in technology, like artificial intelligence (AI). Think of AI-powered email extensions like Grammarly processing email content, including PHI.
As AI tools become more sophisticated in analyzing sensitive information, encryption will become even more important.
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FAQs
Why should remote healthcare workers encrypt their emails?
Remote healthcare providers routinely use email to send patient information. Encryption protects that information against unauthorized access that leads to costly HIPAA violations and reputational damage.
What kind of information does HIPAA protect?
HIPAA safeguards protected health information (PHI), which includes any information that can identify a patient and relates to their health condition or treatment.
Can HIPAA compliance give an organization a competitive advantage?
Yes, being HIPAA compliant can attract more patients and business partners, differentiating an organization from its competitors.
