Cybersecurity Tips

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) recommends going “back to basics” and strengthening your cybersecurity for ePHI.  

Back to Basics (Basic Cyber Security Tips)

• Have a Strong Password – make sure you use a strong password (i.e. usually 10 characters or more and includes uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters like #$&*). Recent research suggests users could also consider using “passphrases,” which are sentences that may be easier to remember than a very complex.
• Training – staff should be trained regularly on important cyber security issues, such as how to spot phishing emails and when/who to report possible cyber incidents to in your business.
• Multi-factor Authentication – a username and password may not be adequate to protect sensitive information, privileged accounts, or information accessed remotely. As part of its risk analysis, an entity should determine what authentication schemes to use to protect its systems and sensitive information (e.g. e-PHI). Multi-factor authentication typically includes a password and additional security measures, such as a thumbprint or key card.
• Updates and Patching – you should update and patch your systems and applications regularly, because updates and patches often fix critical security vulnerabilities.
• Lock Devices. Limit physical access to devices and lock devices when not in use.
• Portable Devices – be cautious plugging a phone, USB, or other portable device into a secure computer or network. Portable storage devices may not be as secure and may contain malicious software that could corrupt your secure network. If the device is needed, be sure to follow your organization’s policies on the use of such devices, which could include prohibitions on the use of personal devices or having IT personnel review such devices to ensure they do not contain malicious software.
• Do Not Wait – do not wait to report possible cybersecurity threats to the right people in your organization. Time is often critical during a cyber-incident, so if you suspect a cyber-threat, report it right away