Security Risks When Using Mobile Devices in Healthcare IT and How to Prevent Them

Healthcare in recent years has gone increasingly mobile. The ascendancy of telehealth has enabled patients to access their healthcare provider whenever and wherever they may be, often with the mere touch of a tablet, smartphone, or another mobile device. And while this trend has made quality healthcare more affordable and accessible than ever before, it has also introduced significant vulnerabilities into the healthcare system.

One of the most pernicious and persistent challenges is the threat to patient data borne of improper handling of mobile devices carrying health records and other sensitive data. And the risk lies not just with patients, but also with healthcare providers, for whom a careless moment may lead to a lost or stolen device and the potential theft of patient data.

Unfortunately, failure to keep track of the device isn’t the only risk, however. Perhaps even greater is the threat of security breaches through more subtle means. Unwary users, both patients, and practitioners may, for instance, inadvertently install malware that provides nearly limitless access to records stored on the device or operations performed on it. And that means that infected devices may be transmitting sensitive data for days, weeks, and even months before the breach is discovered.