What Are Healthcare IAM Solutions?
Healthcare Identity Access Management (IAM) is a security framework that details how healthcare organizations confirm specific user identities and which devices and applications those users should be able to access. IAM solutions can take on multiple forms, depending on your organization’s specific needs.
For example, they could look like single sign-on (SSO) solutions that negate the need for passwords. Or IAM can include multi-factor authentication (MFA) solutions that introduce multiple security layers, which prevent unauthorized access and fulfill Electronic Prescriptions for Controlled Substances (ECPS) compliance rules.
rf IDEAS’ WAVE® ID readers also support passwordless authentication in both SSO and MFA setups through secure smart cards, allowing employees to seamlessly tap and go as needed.
IAM solutions are vital for protecting sensitive patient information, especially amid evolving regulatory requirements and rising threats from data breaches. Ultimately, adopting IAM solutions gives security professionals greater top-down visibility into user behavior and potential access threats.
Why Are IAM Solutions Ideal in Healthcare?
In healthcare settings, fraudsters can choose countless touchpoints to exploit. Healthcare IAM solutions close security gaps and eliminate the administrative burden of password management, helping streamline access control while maintaining 100% compliance.
On average, 364,571 healthcare records were breached every day in 2023.1
Healthcare employees log into systems an average of 70 times a day.2
80% of IT security professionals believe that better identity management tools could have prevented the impact of identity-based attacks in their organization.3
Keep sensitive data safe
Healthcare data is subject to layers of regulatory requirements that make clear access protocols (and access records) a must. IAM solutions that leverage logical access control readers check both of these boxes: You can control permissions as needed and keep an access log of every endpoint across your organization to fulfill HIPAA and GDPR compliance obligations.
Converge physical and logical access solutions
The same ID badge employees use to access buildings and secure areas can also be leveraged for IAM purposes. With the right compatible readers, you can integrate your physical and logical access solutions across all endpoints — from workstations and printers to imaging equipment — for a completely seamless user experience.
Guard against harmful cyber attacks
Fraudulent cyber incidents are on the rise in healthcare: in 2023, an average of 364,571 healthcare records were leaked per day in the U.S. Fortunately, an IAM framework can reduce the risk of an attack by implementing role-based access control and enhanced user authentication.
Relevant Products
Lenovo: A Partnership for <br>Healthcare Security
WAVE ID® embedded OEM readers seamlessly integrate into healthcare-optimized laptops, enabling single sign-on access to health records. This integration ensures compliance with regulatory standards and enhances productivity for 1,800 healthcare providers serving 1.9 million patients.
Frequently Asked Questions About Healthcare IAM Solutions
Want to learn more about healthcare IAM solutions? We've gathered answers to your most pressing questions about how they work, their benefits and how to implement them in your healthcare organization.
What are the key components of a healthcare IAM solution?
Healthcare IAM solutions differ in makeup, but the baseline features of most solutions include user provisioning, access controls, multi-factor authentication, single sign-on (SSO) and identity governance.
How easy or difficult is it to implement healthcare IAM solutions?
Healthcare IAM implementation can vary in complexity depending on several factors, including the size of the organization, the existing IT infrastructure and the specific requirements of the IAM solution. Fortunately, rf IDEAS’ decades of experience and wealth of independent software vendor (ISV) partnerships allow for a simplified integration process to suit your needs.
What makes IAM solutions an ideal fit for healthcare organizations?
IAM is a vital tool for healthcare organizations due to its ability to protect sensitive patient data. By enforcing strong authentication and authorization policies, IAM helps prevent unauthorized access and data breaches. Additionally, IAM can streamline administrative tasks, improve efficiency and ensure compliance with regulations like HIPAA.
What are some common mistakes that healthcare IT leaders can make when implementing IAM solutions?
Some common mistakes include a lack of strategic planning, over-privileging users and inadequate identity governance, which can all lead to excessive permissions and outdated access controls. Neglecting multi-factor authentication (MFA) and failing to integrate IAM systems across cloud and on-premise environments can also create security gaps.
How do I determine my immediate IAM needs?
Consider which compliance requirements are proving difficult to meet, where employees are running into unnecessary friction and how you envision your access requirements evolving over time.
Embrace the Power of <br>Healthcare IAM
Contact us today to learn how your healthcare organization can implement advanced IAM solutions to keep sensitive patient data safe.
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3 Ways Logical Access Control Helps Health Networks Protect Patient Data
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Read the Blog >1. The HIPAA Journal, “Healthcare Data Breach Statistics”
2. Imprivata “A Partnership for Healthcare Security”
3. IT Security Guru, “The state of Identity Security: Widespread attacks, wasted investment and identity sprawl”