Securely faxing healthcare data

Solid use policies can help secure the transmission of sensitive data

By Healthcare Facilities Today


Fax machines have a number of potential security breaches, according to an article on the Working Home Guide website. While most people have heard about large computer breaches, few pay much attention to securing their fax transmissions. 

One of these breaches is simply human error, the article said. Poor communication lines, incompatible equipment, etc., can also be problematic. And faxes can sit on the machine for everyone to see until they are retrieved and dealt with.

According to the article, one of the most basic ways to secure faxes is to establish solid use policies. For example, a facility might have a policy of two people verifying that the proper number has been entered and that the machine is regularly checked and maintained.

It also may be wise to ensure that the fax machine or faxing service uses data encryption. This may also entail the use of an email-to-fax-machine protocol, which can enhance security if it is combined with a solid encryption protocol like PGP.

Read the article.

 

 



March 14, 2014


Topic Area: Maintenance and Operations


Recent Posts

Probiotic Cleaning: A Complementary Strategy for Safer Hospital Floors

Managers seeking more resilient approaches to environmental hygiene are turning to probiotic systems to supplement traditional disinfection.


VITAS Healthcare Breaks Ground on New Inpatient Hospice Center in Florida

The 14,000-square-foot VITAS inpatient hospice center will open in 2027 and serve 500+ patients annually.


Mile Bluff Medical Center Disrupted by Data Security Event

While some services experienced limited and temporary interruptions, the impact has been narrow in scope.


The Proper Way to Use Cleaning Carts

Environmental services use cleaning carts every day, but they are often overlooked. Keeping them clean and properly stocked is key to preventing infection in healthcare facilities.


JPS Health Network Breaks Ground on New Hospital

The project includes construction of a new inpatient hospital and expansion of the existing Pavilion.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.