What are the threats to health information system security?
When we talk about health information system security there’s a tendency to sound like the leader of a country at war. But behind the military language of ‘threats’, ‘breaches’, and ‘defences’ there’s an important message – you have a responsibility to your patients to stay alert to protect their data. Most security threats come about from carelessness – there’s usually a simple precaution you can take to prevent them. Here are some common examples, and the action you can take to avoid them: • Accidental viewing Threat: Information on screen is visible to people other than the person logged on. A doctor is viewing some test results on the computer in the ward office. With the screen facing outwards towards the window, he doesn’t realise that anyone walking past can see the screen. Defence: Make sure your screen is positioned so that as few people as possible can see it. • Uncontrolled access Threat: Access to a system without the necessary authority. A nurse is logged on to his system
