While most enterprises have started to formulate bring your own device (BYOD) strategies, many remain concerned about the potential security threats of personal devices accessing corporate networks and data. This is especially true within the healthcare sector, where organizations have to oblige more stringent regulatory compliance requirements.
However, with the use of mobile security software, as well as mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM) solutions, these organizations can better protect patient data from incendiary forces. BYOD is a proven approach to improving operations in hospitals and other healthcare providing firms, but these entities must ensure tight policies to defend against breaches.
Showing BYODers Hospitality
Becker's Hospital Review recently reported that the vast majority of hospitals are allowing physicians and other staff members to use their personal smartphones and tablets on the job. According to the news provider, healthcare providers are beginning to create increasingly strict policies to maintain information governance in BYOD environments.
The source explained that the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) makes BYOD in hospitals more complex, but organizations in the industry can ensure compliance with this law through a variety of methods. This includes adequate policy-building, training of all staff members, outlining the acceptable devices to use for work-related functions, and procuring the right technology to manage devices plus their apps, docs, and expenses.
Becker's Hospital Review added that all data should be firmly encrypted and regularly assessed for potential security flaws, while maintaining governance over all apps through the use of MAM and other solutions. Finally, the source stressed the importance of using MDM whenever employee-owned devices are used to access or transfer patient data. This information is extremely sensitive, and must be safeguarded to avoid legal penalties and lost reputations.
A Healthy Choice for MDM
The MDM and MAM solutions industries have grown exponentially in recent years, as more players continue to produce new offerings. While competition is good for these products in general, companies have a wide variety of options to choose from, leaving the potential for relatively shoddy service providers and subsequent weak performances.
MaaS360 by Fiberlink is among the most trusted and progressive mobility management suites available today. Using MaaS360 for Healthcare, organizations can ensure that all networks, devices, data and applications are adequately monitored and managed for maximum protection and productivity. In addition, this solution can assist in protecting electronic protected healthcare information (EPHI) and compliance with HIPAA and other regulations. Click below to learn more.
