As part of a software development team building a hospital …

Computers and Technology Questions

As part of a software development team building a hospital management application that handles sensitive healthcare data, which security measures would you recommend for securing this data during a brainstorming activity? A. Control access to sensitive data, allowing only authorized users to access it as needed. B. Encrypt healthcare data to ensure that compromised databases reveal only unreadable encrypted data, unless the decryption key is also compromised. C. Record all access events for healthcare data (read/write operations) for audit purposes. D. Implement all the above security measures as part of a Defense in Depth approach.

Short Answer

To secure sensitive healthcare data in a hospital management application, implement robust access controls, utilize strong encryption for data protection, and establish audit trails to monitor access and modifications. These steps ensure that only authorized users can access data, that data is protected from unauthorized access, and that there is accountability and compliance with regulations.

Step-by-Step Solution

To secure sensitive healthcare data in a hospital management application, follow these three essential steps:

1. Control Access to Sensitive Data

Establishing robust access control measures is vital to ensure that only authorized users can view or manipulate sensitive healthcare data. This involves:

  • Implementing strong authentication methods, such as passwords, biometric scanning, or PINs.
  • Employing the principle of least privilege, allowing users access only to the data necessary for their specific roles.
  • Regularly reviewing user access permissions to maintain security integrity.

2. Encrypt Healthcare Data

Encryption is a key component in safeguarding healthcare information. It protects data even if unauthorized access occurs by converting it into a format that is unreadable without a decryption key. Key considerations include:

  • Utilizing strong encryption algorithms to secure stored data.
  • Ensuring secure management and storage of decryption keys to prevent unauthorized access.
  • Regularly updating encryption standards to address emerging threats.

3. Record Events for Audit Purposes

Implementing an audit trail is essential for monitoring who accesses and modifies sensitive healthcare data. This ensures compliance with regulations and promotes accountability. Key steps include:

  • Setting up logging systems that track all access events and data changes.
  • Regularly reviewing audit logs for suspicious activities or unauthorized access attempts.
  • Ensuring audit processes comply with legal frameworks such as HIPAA to maintain patient privacy.

Related Concepts

Access Control

The process of restricting access to sensitive data only to authorized users based on their roles and responsibilities

Encryption

The method of converting data into a secure format that can only be read or accessed with a decryption key, ensuring its confidentiality

Audit Trail

A systematic record of events that tracks access and modifications to data, used for monitoring and ensuring compliance with regulations.

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