By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Encryption-on-the-Go: Personal Mobile Devices and BYOD
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > eHealth > Mobile Health > Encryption-on-the-Go: Personal Mobile Devices and BYOD
eHealthMobile Health

Encryption-on-the-Go: Personal Mobile Devices and BYOD

thielst
thielst
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE

TechNewsWorld interviewed me not long ago for an article looking at specific issues related to personal mobile devices in healthcare environments. The article is Part 2 of a series, so I also recommend reading the first one, which addresses the general issue of mobile devices and the need for encryption. 

As it relates to healthcare, here are some more specific thoughts. 

TechNewsWorld interviewed me not long ago for an article looking at specific issues related to personal mobile devices in healthcare environments. The article is Part 2 of a series, so I also recommend reading the first one, which addresses the general issue of mobile devices and the need for encryption. 

As it relates to healthcare, here are some more specific thoughts. 

More Read

space-shuttle.jpg
10 Conversion Boosters for Physician Websites
Mobile Health Around the Globe: Health eVillages Helps Improve Quality of Care in Haiti
Re-admissions: Is Telehealth the Answer?
Encouraging Use Of Respite Care: A Guide To Supporting Caregivers
Are privileged people wasting their time using healthcare portals?
  1. BYOD is an emerging issue in healthcare as staff (physicians, employees, contractors) bring their latest and greatest devices into the workplace and ask to use them in their work.  Additionally, some healthcare organizations will see equipment cost savings and allow or even encourage employees and physicians to bring in their own devices.  However, safeguards must be in place to ensure that personal health information is protected.
  2. Healthcare professionals are using tablets to access information in the workplace and while mobile, such as, when on call.  Use of tablets is a new threat and is a problem if the organization has not implemented the necessary safeguards.  This includes capabilities for remote device management capabilities for configuration, changing passwords and wiping them clean if lost or stolen.  The security threat is huge, especially when you factor in the rising rate of malicious attacks by hackers.  Health IT departments are busy places these days and mobile is competing for attention with EHRs, HIE, telemedicine and other important tools.  The issue of BYOD just adds one more layer of complexity and demand for time and resources.
  3. Accessing data via secure FTP or VPNs are options to encryption as ways of minimizing the risk of a data breach.  Ideally, users will also want to minimize the amount of data stored on these devices.
  4. The most important best practice related to mobile device and security is to conduct a risk assessment.  The organization will want to use the assessment to develop a strategy and plans for implementing the necessary safeguards.  Tactics can include usine of cloud based mobile device management and encrypting files, applications and transmissions.  But, it will also include communicating expectations to users to promote use of apps and data from trusted sites and sources or enabling device privacy and security functionality, such as, use of passwords and automatic lock or data erase. 
  5. Mobile in healthcare is important for three main reasons. 
  • First, for addressing desired workflows, such as, having nurses and other clinicians freed from the nursing station to increase the time they have with patients. 
  • Second, shortages of physician specialists require that we become more efficient with use of their time and that often means connecting with them while mobile.  Today’s technologies give physicians access to imaging on a mobile device that is just as good as those on a clinical workstation in their office or on a hospital unit.
  • Third, we need to engage with consumers and patients – who are also more mobile.  For some, their only connection to the Internet is on mobile devices – and this includes some hard to reach populations.

 

TAGGED:BYOD
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

contamination
Batch Failures And The Hidden Costs Of Contamination
Health Infographics
October 21, 2025
Medication Management For Seniors
Simplifying Medication Management For Seniors
Infographics Senior Care
October 21, 2025
Guide To Pursuing a Career in Nursing as a Foreigner in the USA
Collaboration Is the Prescription for Better Patient Care
Health
October 20, 2025
Epidemiological Health Benefits
Personal and Epidemiological Health Benefits of Blood Pressure Management
Health
October 13, 2025

You Might also Like

BusinesseHealthMedical Records

Why EHRs Really Have Not Made Us Healthier: A Response to Glen Tullman

March 20, 2013

Paris to Palo Alto Healthcare Social Media Interview

April 21, 2013

Electronic Medical Records: Should the SEC Track the Brokerage Accounts of Hospital Clerks?

April 12, 2011
eHealthMedical DevicesMobile HealthTechnology

8 Health & Safety Apps & Devices to Recommend to Your Patients

September 13, 2018
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?