Balancing user experience with mobile device security in healthcare

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko

Mobile devices are transforming healthcare.

The healthcare industry is having a digital Rennaissance, enabling professionals to access patient data, manage schedules and communicate with colleagues on the go.

However, this mobility comes with a set of risks, especially regarding the protection of sensitive patient information. Governed by strict regulations such as HIPPA and GDPR the protection of this information is imperative when securing mobile devices in healthcare.

The art of balancing mobile security and usability in healthcare

Healthcare professionals face a difficult balancing act: they need quick access to information, but that access must be secure. When mobile security measures are cumbersome or too time-consuming, they risk disrupting workflow and creating friction in environments where time is a precious commodity.

Ways healthcare workers access data

Clinicians and other hospital staff access patient data with mobile devices in clinics and hospitals in many ways.

• Rounds: Clinicians can take iPads or iPhones on their rounds to input patient data directly into records, and to have patient history at their fingertips. This streamlines workflows and speeds patient and clinician access to records.
• Remote care: Many providers use healthcare mobile devices to provide remote care for patients and education and support for families. Some can even empower patients to report their vitals and other data their physicians want them to track post-operatively.
• Shared devices: Allowing an iPad to be used by multiple people with multiple access levels can help to control costs and provide support to shift workers.

Remote data access

Healthcare workers often access sensitive data remotely. Ensuring these connections are secured with a Zero Trust methodology and modern encryption protocols is essential for maintaining data integrity.

Remote data access must be secured, but easy to use.

While this revolutionary mobile capability is exciting, it can and should cause administrators to focus on keeping all these access points secure.

Offering staff a way to sign into a shared or individual device with bio-identifiers such as face recognition or a fingerprint can not only secure devices, but also trigger customization based on that individual's duties and security level.

Automating such configurations with Smart Groups makes it possible to remotely update devices and authorized users, as well as wiping and re-equipping them with automation.

BYOD concerns

Many organizations have implemented a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program at facilities, offering flexibility in when and where they work. They also simplify work by allowing employees to carry only one phone.

Naturally, concerns about staff privacy and the critical need to protect PII and healthcare networks can give some Apple admins pause when thinking of implementing a BYOD program.

Jamf's BYOD solutions for healthcare, however, offer:

• Machine-learning-based phone security
• Segmentation of personal devices to keep personal information personal and organizational data secure
• Automated configuration deployment controlling access to Wi-Fi, VPN email and corporate data
• Smooth incorporation of federated authentication through Apple Business Manager to simplify and secure logins

Emerging trends and technologies

As mobile technology continues to evolve, so do the methods for securing it in healthcare environments. Here are some trends to watch:

• AI and machine-learning endpoint protection, such as MI:RIAM: Jamf’s machine-learning engine. It prevents threats to users and devices, such as malicious domains, novel phishing attacks and cryptojacking.
• Zero-trust security models (such as Jamf's) that include real-time data risk assessment, a cloud-based infrastructure integration, and intelligent split-tunneling technology.
• Secure communication apps for healthcare, many of which integrate seamlessly with Jamf solutions.

Innovation without security or user experience compromises

Because Jamf builds solutions on the native Apple framework instead of retrofitting programs originally made for other OS's, we keep the user-friendly Apple experience completely intact.

And, because our endpoint solutions are also specifically built for Apple from the ground up, they are a light load and don't slow down the user experience or make use cumbersome.

When you add in Jamf's ability to integrate seamlessly with existing ID solutions and workspace apps, there is really no question of who healthcare providers should turn to.

Now is the time to stay proactive, embrace emerging technologies, and create a culture of security awareness that empowers healthcare workers to do their jobs safely and efficiently.