May 19, 2015

    5 Reasons Secure File Sharing Benefits the Medical Industry

    To provide patients with quick, effective care, healthcare providers and insurers must be able to rapidly exchange patient data, but sharing files runs the risk of allowing the patients' confidential information to fall into the wrong hands. Healthcare organizations should thus never use file sharing software that doesn't rigorously protect patient data. To maximize both speed and security, the healthcare industry is increasingly adopting FTP File Sharing:

    5 Reasons to Incorporate Secure FTP File Sharing 

    FTP File Sharing Allows Fast Data Transfer

    Hospitals must be able to communicate quickly with insurance providers in order to secure payment and provide patients with care. The longer it takes to transfer data to the insurance company, the longer patients might wait for treatment, taking up hospital space and contributing to rising healthcare costs. Healthcare providers must also be able to communicate data with each other rapidly in order to more effectively collaborate on healthcare procedures. FTP programs can transfer data much more efficiently than the HTTP of the regular Internet, minimizing wait times and freeing up hospital beds and equipment.

    FTP Prevents Unauthorized Log-Ins

    Under the Healthcare Industry Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), hospitals and insurers must prevent unauthorized users from accessing patients' healthcare data. If you fail to keep confidential information secure, your organization may have to pay as much as $50,000 in fines for each violation. FTP programs can use password strength to secure access to Protected Health Information (PHI), making sure that no one can access your patients' files who has not been issued the proper authentication information.

    FTP Creates Secure Channels

    Besides preventing unauthorized access to healthcare data, secure FTP systems can also prevent third parties from intercepting data during legitimate transfers. They create a secure connection between the sender and the receiver of the information, encrypting the connection from end to end. This prevents outside users from stealing or modifying patient data while it is in transit.

    FTP Keeps Detailed Logs

    However sophisticated your security system, there are always vulnerabilities, both from innovative outside attackers and disgruntled employees who may misuse their authentication information. To guard against these threats, FTP systems keep detailed logs of everyone who accesses, sends, or modifies patient data. This means that if there is a security breach, it's easy to figure out who is responsible, take action against the attacker, and make the necessary modifications to ensure that no one can access your data that way again.

    FTP Operates All Over the World

    In an increasingly globalized market, caregivers must be able to consult specialists on other continents, often sending them sensitive patient data so that they can evaluate proposed treatments. To do this, healthcare providers need equipment that can allow them to communicate across thousands of miles quickly and safely. FTP systems can send data files of all sizes anywhere in the world, and are compatible with a wide range of devices. This allows doctors from to get the answers they need from the best sources and begin treating their patients.

    Key Take-Aways

    • FTP file sharing allows fast data transfer
    • FTP does not allow unauthorized log-ins 
    • FTP prevents data interception with secure channels 
    • FTP keeps detailed logs 
    • FTP operates worldwide

    Cloud-based file sharing in the work place is quickly growing.  See how you can share information without sacrificing compliance and security with our Free Ebook "5 Risks of Consumer File Sharing". Learn the different risks to avoid and start file sharing today.

     

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    Martin Horan

    Martin, Sharetru's Founder, brings deep expertise in secure file transfer and IT, driving market niche success through quality IT services.

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