Top Healthcare IT Certifications

Due to the increased use of electronic records in healthcare and the changes in privacy laws, individuals who are specially trained and certified in healthcare information technology are in very high demand.  Job growth in this field is higher than average and, once in the field, the potential for advancement is also very high.  Professionals who wish to pursue this field can increase their value by studying for and receiving one or more healthcare IT certifications.  There are many certification options. The certification an individual pursues will depend on their interest and education and, in some cases, their prior experience… Read more »

Healthcare IT: Understanding Electronic Health Records (EHR)

The sheer amount of information that needs to be collected and stored for medical purposes has led to the creation and evolution of electronic health records.  Providers and medical personnel need to be able to document patient history, store it in a secure place, access it when needed, and share it with other providers quickly and easily.  The use of electronic health records has changed and helped streamline all of these processes.  In an electronic health record, all patient data is digitized, and having all of this information in one place allows a provider to get a full view of… Read more »

Healthcare Data Breach: Ascension

High-profile security breaches impacting large organizations, including healthcare entities, continue to affect the sensitive data of millions of people.  The importance of professionals skilled in cyber security as it relates to the healthcare sector continues to grow.  Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology strives to help meet this growing need by offering degree programs that will equip the next generation of cybersecurity professionals with the skills they need to succeed and meet this growing demand.  The healthcare organization Ascension experienced a data breach in early May because of an accidental download of a malicious file. This error allowed an attacker to access… Read more »

Exploring Cyber Security Frameworks 

When creating and implementing a security system for your organization’s network it is essential to consult standards, policies, and best practices for how to do this to achieve maximum security and minimize possible weaknesses that hackers can exploit.  Luckily there are several frameworks available that provide guidelines for how to create a strong cyber security risk management system for your organization.  Selecting and implementing a framework makes it easier for an organization to establish appropriate processes and procedures for monitoring systems and reducing risks related to cyber security.  Most organizations need to adhere to one of the frameworks to comply… Read more »

What is Health Informatics?

Health informatics is a specialized and important field in the healthcare industry.  It involves the collection and analysis of large amounts of data that can be used to improve patient outcomes, lower costs, allow for better care overall, and create enhanced experiences for both the patients and the providers.  Health informatics includes the processes of acquiring, storing, retrieving and use of health information to help streamline sharing across healthcare facilities and providers to aid in better overall patient care and outcomes.  In addition, individuals in this field can analyze acquired data to identify specific needs and trends to devise new… Read more »

Cyber Security Careers: Information Security Analyst

As an information security analyst, you would be tasked with establishing that your organization’s computer network is protected from security threats.  You would be responsible for constantly monitoring the network for breaches and helping to investigate when an incident occurs.  In addition, you would have to ensure that all systems are kept up to date and the necessary software updates and encryption programs have been installed.  You would have to remain current on the latest information technology news and trends to stay ahead of certain cyber-related attacks and recommend any necessary security improvements that might be required for a stronger… Read more »

Why is Healthcare a Target for Cybersecurity Threats?

In the healthcare field, sensitive and personal information is collected from patients and stored in electronic format for easy access by healthcare professionals and patients.  This information must be accessible so quick and accurate decisions can be made by healthcare personnel regarding planning an individual’s care.  What is also critical is that this information, while accessible, needs to be protected and stored in a way that does not leave it vulnerable to unauthorized access and usage.   Recently healthcare organizations have been the target of increased cyber-attacks due to the amount of information available and the value that this information might… Read more »

Healthcare Data Breaches: WebTPA

Another recent significant data breach was discovered at a company that provides administrative services to non-profit hospitals and assists in building customized health care plans.  The breach actually happened back in early 2023 but it was only recently discovered and it has impacted over 2 million individuals.  According to their website, evidence of suspicious activity was discovered on their network in December 2023 from a breach that occurred in April 2023 and this prompted them to launch a full-scale investigation to determine what have happened.   It was discovered that an unauthorized user had gained access to consumer information including contact information, birthdates,… Read more »

Common Cyber-Attack Methods

Organizations of all types and sizes are in danger of being infiltrated by malicious attackers who steal information with the intent to use it in a way that is contrary to how it should be used.  These attackers use many sophisticated methods for getting access to systems and these methods are constantly evolving with continued advancements in technology.  While this article will not cover all of the types of cyber-attacks that are possible, it will discuss some of the more common ones that exist today and how they are executed.  The Cyber and Network Security programs at Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology… Read more »