As with other industries, healthcare organizations are taking it slow in regards the BYOD trend. There is no denying that a BYOD program opens up serious security concerns when considering the type of information stored in a healthcare organization’s network. In a recent Healthcare Technology Online article Bob Nilsson, Director of Healthcare Solutions Marketing for Enterasys, says that this slow pace of BYOD adoption goes beyond just security concerns. “With EHR Meaningful Use, ICD-10, and other high-level technology initiatives, health IT resources are limited. Establishing an airtight BYOD policy isn’t necessarily the highest priority to IT executives. Also, since improperly engaging in BYOD could potentially result in data breach or network collapse, many healthcare facilities opt not to engage in BYOD activity.”
The article goes on to highlight a few tips and Mobile Device Management (MDM) strategies that can break the perception that, “BYOD is a risky, complex, and costly undertaking.” The article quotes Rob Shaughnessy, CTO of Circadence, who provides three areas of focus for healthcare organizations to focus on in order for a BYOD program to become manageable. He touches on Security, saying that there needs to be a large focus on encryption capabilities and that data should actually not be stored on the end devices themselves, pointing towards virtualization technologies. Access Control with a large focus on certifications and authentication protocols allowing for visibility into the identity of a user and to ensure they are authorized to access the systems. Finally he suggests Data Delivery as a focus in order to ensure that proper bandwidth is allocated to proper individuals as needed.
The article also offers a few proof of concept example of healthcare organizations that have successful implemented BYOD programs through the use of MDM solutions and strategies. Read the entire article here for more insight into how healthcare organizations can utilize MDM solution in order to secure and manage a BYOD program.
BYOD actually makes alot of sense for healthcare. Tablets are the perfect device for doctors and other caregivers. They can use them to quickly access a patient’s hospital records, medical images and medical history.
Does BYOD come with headaches? Of course it does. However, security issues and IT management headaches (how do I support all those devices?) can be addressed by using new HTML5 technologies that enable users to connect to applications and systems without requiring IT staff to install anything on user devices. For example, Ericom AccessNow is an HTML5 RDP client that enables remote users to securely connect from iPads, iPhones and Android devices to any RDP host, including Terminal Server and VDI virtual desktops, and run their applications and desktops in a browser. This enhances security by keeping the hospital’s applications and data separate from the caregiver’s personal device.
Since AccessNow doesn’t require any software installation on the end user device – just an HTML5 browser, network connection, URL address and login details – IT staff end up with less support hassles. A doctor that brings in their own device merely opens their HTML5-compatible browser and connects to the URL given them by the IT admin.
Check out this link for more info:
https://www.ericom.com/BYOD_Healthcare.asp?URL_ID=708
Yes, I work for Ericom