As we observe Data Privacy Week, it is a great opportunity to shine a spotlight on what care providers should look out for when thinking about data privacy and cybersecurity.
The digital transformation within social care has helped to revolutionise resident care. Systems like eMAR have minimised errors, and freed up care staff time from administrative tasks, allowing them to concentrate on delivering high-quality person-centred care.
However, despite all the progress, the digitisation of sensitive patient data carries with it responsibility for technology suppliers, who need to provide assurance to the sector of stringent cybersecurity and data protection protocols.
The Importance of Cybersecurity in eMAR Systems
eMAR systems, such as Camascope’s, are now proving an essential tool for care providers. However, they house a wealth of confidential resident data that must be kept private and defended against cyber threats. Any breach could not only compromise patient privacy but also disrupt the vital process of medication management. It is, therefore, no surprise that Camascope has embedded security into the fabric of its eMAR system, maintaining the integrity of medication administration and ensuring that resident data is secure.
When searching for an eMAR system, it is important care providers choose a system they can trust with confidential resident data. Here are some key security credentials that should be looked out for:
Accreditations: ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus
When selecting an eMAR system, care providers must prioritise security, and the first checkpoint should be the system’s adherence to recognised security standards. ISO 27001 stands as a critical standard, offering a robust framework for information security management. This certification signals a company’s capability to protect sensitive data through a comprehensive set of protocols around how to manage data and information. It ensures that providers have a system that not only safeguards against current threats but is also committed to improving its defences in step with the ever-changing landscape of cyber risks.
In addition to this, the Cyber Essentials Plus certification, a scheme endorsed by the UK government, hones in on the defences necessary to defend against the most prevalent cyber threats. This includes a suite of protective measures such as secure configurations, firewall integrity, controlled access, malware defences, and consistent system updates. For care providers, selecting an eMAR system that meets the criteria of both ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus means opting for a solution that takes cyber threats seriously.
Data Privacy Compliance
Care providers should also ensure that the eMAR systems have robust GDPR policies and procedures in place to protect sensitive resident data. GDPR compliance ensures that the eMAR system adheres to strict standards for data processing. In addition, alignment with the NHS Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) is beneficial. This toolkit provides a set of standards and guidelines tailored to the unique needs of the healthcare sector, ensuring that the eMAR system is equipped to handle health data with the highest level of security. By meeting both these requirements, an eMAR system demonstrates its commitment to maintaining the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of patient data.
System Security
Beyond this, it is worth highlighting the technical defences every eMAR system should use, and what care providers should look out for. Every system should conduct regular penetration tests to ensure the system is protected against a variety of threats, whilst helping to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.
Mitigating Risk
All technology providers must be proactive in their cybersecurity strategy. Conformity with industry security and information management standards, as well as regular penetration testing, ensures that a system reduces its cybersecurity risks. However, it is important to understand the risk will never be completely removed, but can be mitigated.
If you’d like to know how Camascope's new eMAR solution can work for your organisation, contact us to find out more.
