Cyber Security Archive Action Plan

For healthcare organizations, long-term data storage poses certain risks if not managed carefully. One way to mitigate these risks is to develop a cyber security archive action plan and rely on an active archive to secure their high-value data. However, before we explore the specifics of how to take the risks out of long-term data storage, we’ll also highlight why it’s so crucial to ensure your healthcare organization is protected.

High-value health data is an attractive target

First, what is it exactly about health data that is so valuable to cybercriminals? In short, it’s the unique combination of personal information and medical records. This type of data can be used to commit a variety of frauds, including identity theft, insurance fraud, and even prescription drug fraud.

Healthcare & Cyber Security

The risks to healthcare organizations when this high-value data is hacked are becoming increasingly serious, with consequences that affect not only the delivery of care but also public health and safety.

When it comes to the financial consequences, consider these findings from Statistica: “At an average of 9.23 million U.S. dollars, the financial loss suffered during a healthcare data breach is more than double that of the global average across all industries, which was 4.24 million U.S. dollars in 2021.”

In an article from Health IT Security, reports on findings from a study meant to explore precisely how cyber attacks can affect patient safety are discussed.

They explain:

“Although correlation and causation are difficult to determine with absolute certainty, the results showed that survey respondents with day-to-day experience in the field have felt the tangible impacts a cyberattack can have on patient care at alarming rates.

For example, when asked how a ransomware attack impacted patient safety and care delivery within their organizations, 64 percent of respondents reported delays in procedures and tests.

Additionally, 24 percent of respondents reported an increase in mortality rates, and 59 percent said that it resulted in longer stays. Half of respondents said that there was an increase in patients transferred to other facilities.”

Legacy systems and servers can't keep criminals out or data safe

In 2021, the first public allegation of a healthcare ransomware attack that directly led to a patient’s death was made. Sadly, this isn’t likely the last as cyber attacks become more prevalent in the healthcare industry and others. Many organizations relying on legacy systems and servers are struggling to keep pace with cybercriminals.

Lackluster security protocols leave systems and data vulnerable

This is due, in part, to how many of these systems were built. They also often lack the ability to be updated or patched, leaving them vulnerable to attack.

Along with more cybercriminals targeting healthcare and more cyberattacks taking place, the damage done by these attacks is often compounded by the fact many healthcare organizations have lackluster security protocols in place.

In some cases, this is from a lack of awareness about how cyberattacks can occur and what systems need to be in place to prevent them. For others, it’s a matter of budget or hesitation to invest in cybersecurity until an attack has already taken place.

In other words, it’s time for an upgrade if you’re still relying on legacy systems and servers. Not only will this help improve your organization’s overall security posture, but it will also mitigate the risks associated with long-term data storage.

Taking the Risk Out of Long-Term Data Storage

This brings us to what your organization can do to take the risk out of long-term data storage.

When we talk about taking the risk out of long-term data storage, we’re talking about two main things. First, ensuring your data is stored securely, and second, making sure it can still be accessed easily and efficiently when you need it.

There are a few different ways to go about this, but one is to consider using an active archive. Active archives are similar to traditional archival methods in that they allow for long-term data storage. However, they also provide additional features that make them more secure and easier to access.

Four Security Benefits of Retaining Legacy Health and Business Records in an Active Archive

While active archives benefit businesses throughout a number of industries, specific benefits make them a particularly good choice for healthcare organizations.

Scalability

Active archives are designed to be highly scalable. That way, organizations can easily add more users or increase storage capacity as their needs change. This is in contrast to legacy systems and servers, which often have limited scalability and become less efficient as more users are added.

SOCII Certification

Another benefit of using an active archive is it can help organizations meet compliance requirements. For example, many active archive software solutions are SOCII, which means they meet a rigorous set of security standards. This is helpful if your organization is subject to HIPAA or other regulations.

Learn more about Two Point’s HIPAA compliance policies and how we help your organization ensure secure, compliant data storage.

Single Login Archive

Active archives can also offer a single login archive, which means users can access all of their legacy data from one central location. This is a contrast to legacy systems, which often require users to log in to each individual server or application. This saves time and reduces the risk of password reuse.

Role-Based Security With Audit Trails

Finally, active archives offer role-based security. Role-based security allows you to restrict access to certain users or groups of users. This valuable security feature puts you in charge of who can see and modify your data. Additionally, active archives typically include audit trails. That way, you can track any changes made to your data.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many benefits to using an active archive for long-term data storage. Active archives are more secure and easier to use than legacy systems and can help you meet compliance requirements. Consider using an active archive if your healthcare organization is looking for a way to lower the cyber security risk of long-term data storage.

Contact Two Point today if you’re ready to explore your data storage options. Our team of experts can help you find the right solution for your organization. Email us directly at sales@twopoint.com to schedule a free demo and see what our data archiving services can do.