Why data security is more vital than ever during this healthcare crisis

Many businesses have found themselves unprepared for the speed or the far-reaching consequences of COVID-19. Teams who have never worked remotely before are now adjusting to balancing family and work life, and employees across the globe are facing new risks and pressures as a result.  With lingering uncertainty surrounding a "return to normal", data security is more vital than ever.

Forced and rapid digitization

The majority of organizations have had to embrace new digital communication channels to remain productive. You’re likely now faced with the consequences of a massive, rushed adoption of new technologies.

Teams are getting to grips with the learning curve involved in adopting these new platforms. The added complexity of data security has compounded the issue, especially within regulated industries like finance. For this reason, tools like simple-to-use IM solutions that also take care of the complexity of data security are a must.

Why take our word for it? Read these guides on cybersecurity and data protection for more information and legal advice from experts in this field.

Using devices at home

People working from home offices now have access to sensitive business data in their living rooms.  On top of that, many employees are using their own devices to store and manage that data. (Hear that distant cheer? That’s the BYOD advocates having a field day…)

It is vital to update your employees on your Information Governance structure. That way, they know the policies and protocols they are expected to follow to keep data safe.

Top tips:

• Store devices in a secure place like a locked office and ensure lock-screens are enabled
• Use strong password protection and two-factor authentication on all devices
• Make sure all devices have up-to-date firewall and anti-virus software installed
• Verify wireless router security and use VPNs to improve network security
• As a business, use software tools to enforce identity and access management

Intruders on online meetings

Meetings at all levels have moved onto online platforms, making security more and more of a concern. With some well-publicized incidents of ‘meeting bombers’ and uninvited intruders, there is a risk that confidential or sensitive data could be compromised.

To mitigate these risks, ensure that all users have the most up to date versions of these platforms. Don’t use personal meeting links. Instead, create a fresh link for each meeting and only open the meeting room when the host has arrived, as much as possible. And of course, the best way to ensure data security is to always enable passwords for online meetings.

Phishing attempts by email

Have a support channel on your instant messenger for people to report any suspicious activity, such as phishing emails. According to Google, there has been a massive increase in phishing sites in recent months. From January to March, they saw a 350 percent increase in phishing attempts.

Remind your teams that while limited waivers might apply in relation to aspects of HIPAA and HIPAA compliant texting, data security is, in fact, more critical as ever. So stay safe, and stay secure.