Healthcare security must be at the top of any facility’s priority list. Security standards for hospitals must be comprehensive and include protection for people, content, and physical infrastructure. Hospitals are “soft targets,” a classification that applies to a variety of locations that have a high density and limited security policies. Fortunately, many healthcare facilities are already implementing measures to protect their patients and assets. The following are some tips to help healthcare facilities secure their properties.
First, hospital security cameras must be monitored by security personnel. These cameras provide a deterrent against crime, as well as evidence of criminal activity. If a security breach does occur, hospital security teams must be able to respond remotely to the video recordings, which will allow police to identify criminals. In large hospitals, this capability should be commonplace. For advice on CCTV Installation Manchester, go to www.red-dam.co.uk/
Security also extends to data held by medical facilities which is confidential. Data breach statistics from 2019 Healthcare Data Breach Report show that health care companies suffered an increase of 37.4% from last year. Ransomware attacks are also increasing in frequency. In October 2019, hackers held a Health System’s IT network hostage for ransom, forcing the hospitals to cancel surgeries and turn away new patients until they paid the hackers. This is a prime example of the importance of secure data storage for healthcare facilities.
While patients and healthcare providers are devoted to the safety of their patients, hospital security professionals have the responsibility of hardening the soft targets. Security professionals assess the risk of a breach and implement a comprehensive plan to combat it. They also evaluate the vulnerability of specific areas in hospitals, including entryways and other access points. Additionally, hospital security professionals may look at logistical problems associated with expensive equipment. They may even look into background checks for all employees.
Data backup plans are essential to the recovery process of healthcare organizations. A ransomware attack in 2017 shut down the National Health Service and resulted in 19,000 cancelled appointments. Thankfully, the NHS had a comprehensive recovery plan in place. Data backup plans ensure healthcare providers are able to access vital information in an emergency. In addition, organisations cannot store all their information in one location, so they must use a backup network to ensure data availability in any emergency situation.
While most people would never think of security in a hospital, healthcare facilities are particularly vulnerable. Hospitals have high traffic, so security guards are a necessary precaution. They can monitor the flow of visitors, check for unauthorised personnel, and de-escalate dangerous situations. Security guards also help protect expensive medical equipment and sensitive areas of the hospital. These guards are invaluable assets for hospitals and health facilities. When security is at its peak, hospital security measures are vital.
