Compliance, EHR, HITECH, cyber security, hippa

The Changing Cyber Risks Faced by Senior Living Communities

The Changing Cyber Risks Faced by Senior Living Communities

When managing risk in senior living environments, the focus has traditionally been on physical safety, professional errors, contractual liability, and other forms of risk. However, today’s rapidly changing risk landscape calls for a comprehensive enterprise risk management approach that includes cybersecurity. Cyber threats can have a significant impact on an organization’s bottom line, brand reputation, and, most importantly, resident safety.

Cyber threat actors (bad actors) use multiple attack strategies, with ransomware being the preferred method. Ransomware is often spread through phishing emails and, once inside a network, it can quickly lock down all data, including devices, servers, phones, and other integral parts of an organization. The attackers then demand large sums of money in exchange for the release of data. Refusal to pay may result in the destruction or release of sensitive data. This can lead to legal costs, business interruption, IT forensics investigation costs, regulatory fines, and other expenses.

For senior living environments, the impact of ransomware attacks can be especially devastating. According to Cisa.gov the average ransom payment was $322,168, and the average downtime was 20 days. This could result in critical life-supporting medical devices and electronic medical record systems becoming inaccessible, jeopardizing the safety and care of residents.

Preventing and Mitigating Ransomware Attacks

To prevent and mitigate ransomware attacks, it is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of an organization’s environment and its specific security gaps. The FBI recommends the following measures:

  • Regularly backing up data and storing copies offline.
  • Implementing network segmentation.
  • Implementing a recovery plan to maintain and retain multiple copies of sensitive or proprietary data and servers in a physically separate, segmented, secure location.
  • Installing updates and patches for operating systems, software, and firmware as soon as they are released.
  • Using multifactor authentication with strong passwords.
  • Disabling unused remote access and remote desktop protocol ports.
  • Auditing user accounts with administrative privileges and configuring access controls with the least privilege in mind.
  • Installing and regularly updating anti-virus and anti-malware software on all hosts.
  • Avoiding using public Wi-Fi networks and considering using a VPN.
  • Providing cybersecurity awareness and training from a reputable source.

Transferring Cyber Risk

Cyber insurance can offer solutions to transfer risks associated with ransomware and other cyber threats. However, policy terms and conditions can vary and are negotiable. Most policies cover both first and third-party costs, and a select few may extend coverage to bodily injury and property damage resulting from cyber attacks.

Organizations seeking comprehensive cyber insurance coverage should be prepared for a market that is focused on data security controls, especially those designed to prevent ransomware attacks. Applicants without adequate protections may face higher insurance rates, reduced policy limits, greater retentions, and policies that restrict coverage. Cyber insurance underwriters may decline to offer terms if specific protections are not in place.

To prepare for entering the cyber insurance market, organizations should work closely with their cyber insurance broker to understand where their security controls may be lacking and create a roadmap for remediation. This can help organizations be viewed as a best-in-class risk by the underwriting community.

It is crucial to prioritize cybersecurity in senior living facilities. To prevent and address ransomware attacks, it is necessary to have a thorough understanding of the organization’s security gaps and the overall environment. Working with a reputable IT partner such as vcpi can provide additional layers of protection, leading to a greater sense of security and peace of mind. Partnering with vcpi can also help you make sure you are covered and have adequate protections in place before you apply for cyber insurance. To get started and keep your communities safe and protected reach out and have a conversation with us today!

Partnering with an MSP for Your Senior Living Community: The Hidden Benefits

Partnering with an MSP for Your Senior Living Community: The Hidden Benefits


At vcpi, we understand that Senior Living Communities face unique challenges when it comes to IT management. From ensuring the security and privacy of residents’ personal and medical information to keeping up with evolving regulations, there’s a lot to manage. That’s why we know that partnering with an MSP can be incredibly beneficial for senior living communities. In this article, we’ll explore some of the hidden benefits of partnering with an MSP like vcpi, and why it can be a game-changer for your community.

What is an MSP?

Before we dive into the benefits of partnering with an MSP, it’s important to understand what an MSP is. MSP stands for Managed Service Provider. Essentially, an MSP is an IT services company that provides a range of services to businesses and organizations. These services can include everything from basic IT support to advanced security and compliance services. MSPs typically work on a subscription basis, providing ongoing support and management for a fixed monthly fee.

Benefit #1: Proactive IT Management

One of the primary benefits of partnering with an MSP like vcpi is that you gain access to a team of dedicated IT professionals who are focused on proactively managing your IT systems. This means that they are constantly monitoring your systems for potential issues and working to prevent problems before they occur. This can be especially important for Senior Living Communities, where downtime or system failures can have serious consequences for residents. By partnering with an MSP, you can rest easy knowing that your IT systems are being proactively managed and monitored.

Benefit #2: Enhanced Security and Compliance

Security and compliance are top concerns for Senior Living Communities, and for good reason. With sensitive resident information and strict regulations to adhere to, it’s essential to have robust security and compliance measures in place. When you partner with an MSP like vcpi, you gain access to advanced security and compliance services that can help protect your community from cyber threats and ensure that you’re meeting all necessary regulations. From multi-factor authentication to regular vulnerability assessments, an MSP can help keep your community safe and secure.

Benefit #3: Predictable IT Costs

Another major benefit of partnering with an MSP is that it can help you control and predict your IT costs. Rather than dealing with unexpected expenses and costly downtime, an MSP provides ongoing support and management for a fixed fee. This can help you budget more effectively and avoid unexpected IT expenses.

Benefit #4: Increased Efficiency

Partnering with an MSP can also help increase efficiency and productivity within your community. By outsourcing your IT management to a dedicated team of professionals, you free up your staff to focus on other important tasks. This can be especially important in Senior Living Communities, where staff members may be stretched thin and juggling multiple responsibilities.

Benefit #5: Access to Advanced Technology

Finally, partnering with an MSP like vcpi gives you access to advanced technology and expertise that you may not have in-house. With technology evolving at a rapid pace, it can be difficult to keep up with the latest advancements and ensure that your community is using the best possible technology. An MSP can help ensure that you have access to the latest and greatest technology and that it’s being used in the most effective way possible.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is an MSP? An MSP is a Managed Service Provider, which is an IT services company that provides a range of services to businesses and organizations.
What are the benefits of partnering with an MSP? Partnering with an MSP can provide proactive IT management, enhanced security and compliance, predictable IT costs, increased efficiency, and access to advanced technology.
How does partnering with an MSP help with security and compliance? An MSP can provide advanced security and compliance services, including multi-factor authentication, regular vulnerability assessments, and compliance audits to ensure that your community is meeting all necessary regulations.
Can partnering with an MSP help control IT costs? Yes, partnering with an MSP can help control and predict IT costs by providing ongoing support and management for a fixed monthly fee.
How can partnering with an MSP increase efficiency? Partnering with an MSP can increase efficiency by outsourcing IT management to a dedicated team of professionals, freeing up staff to focus on other important tasks.

Conclusion

Partnering with an MSP like vcpi can provide a range of hidden benefits for Senior Living Communities. From proactive IT management to enhanced security and compliance, predictable IT costs, increased efficiency, and access to advanced technology, an MSP can help take your community’s IT systems to the next level. By outsourcing your IT management to a dedicated team of professionals, you can focus on providing the best possible care for your residents while ensuring that your IT systems are secure, compliant, and efficient. If you’re looking to take your community’s IT systems to the next level, reach out and we can show you why we are the #1 IT Provider in the Senior Living Industry.

Securing Senior Living Communities: The Ultimate Guide

With the increasing digitization of sensitive information and transactions, senior living communities face unique cybersecurity challenges. As a result, it’s more important than ever to invest in comprehensive cybersecurity measures to protect residents, staff, and sensitive information.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover the most important considerations for securing senior living communities and keeping residents and staff safe from cyber threats.

Understanding Your Threat Landscape

The first step in securing your senior living community is understanding the specific threats and vulnerabilities you face. This includes identifying the types of sensitive information that needs protection, the systems and networks that need to be secured, and the potential attack vectors that need to be guarded against.

Consider conducting a security risk assessment to get a better understanding of your specific threat landscape. This will help you identify the measures you need to take to protect your community from cyber threats.

Investing in the Right Technologies

Once you have a clear understanding of your threat landscape, it’s time to invest in the right technologies to keep your community safe. This includes:

Firewalls: Firewalls act as a barrier between your network and the internet, blocking unauthorized traffic and protecting your systems from attack.


Endpoint Protection: Endpoint protection solutions help secure devices and networks against cyber threats like malware, viruses, and other malicious software.


Network Security: Network security solutions help protect your community’s networks against cyber threats, including intrusions and data theft.


Data Backup and Recovery: Data backup and recovery solutions ensure that critical information is protected in the event of a cyber attack or other disaster.

Staying Up-to-Date with Cybersecurity Trends

Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field, and new threats and vulnerabilities are emerging all the time. To maximize your investment in cybersecurity, it’s essential to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in the field.

This includes regularly reviewing your cybersecurity strategy, updating your technologies and systems, and staying informed about the latest threats and best practices for protecting against them.

Building a Strong Cybersecurity Culture

Finally, it’s essential to build a strong culture of cybersecurity within your senior living community. This means educating residents and staff on the importance of cybersecurity and the role they play in protecting sensitive information and systems.

It also means creating clear policies and procedures for handling sensitive information, reporting cyber threats, and responding to security incidents. By creating a strong culture of cybersecurity, you can help ensure that your senior living community is prepared and protected against cyber threats.

Conclusion

Securing senior living communities requires a comprehensive approach that involves understanding your specific threat landscape, investing in the right technologies, staying up-to-date with cybersecurity trends, and building a strong culture of cybersecurity within your community.

Our team of experts will work with you to conduct a security risk assessment and identify the measures you need to take to protect your community from cyber threats. We’ll also help you invest in the right technologies like firewalls, endpoint protection, network security, and data backup and recovery solutions.

By taking these steps, you can help protect residents, staff, and sensitive information and ensure that your investment in cybersecurity is delivering the best possible results.

Cybersecurity Insurance: What is it and how to prepare.

Cybersecurity Insurance

Are you covered in case of a cyberattack?

Senior living organizations are particularly vulnerable to cyber attacks, as their residents are often reliant on technology for communication and care. As a result, many senior living organizations now consider cyber insurance to be a critical asset to their risk mitigation strategy. Cyber insurance typically covers the costs of investigating and responding to a cyberattack, as well as any damages that may result. It can also provide coverage for the loss of data or income that results from an attack. In addition to malicious cyber attacks, insurance commonly covers a wide variety of other upstream failures of technology.

While the thought of obtaining cyber insurance can seem daunting, the peace of mind it gives to you, your communities, and your residents is priceless. Some of the items needed in place to apply for cyber insurance are.

  • MFA Controlled access – On the dark web, there are 15 billion credentials, a 300% rise from 2018. Without this remote factor, attackers are unable to use them effectively thanks to multi-factor authentication (MFA). MFA has become more important than ever to secure access to sensitive systems and data due to remote working.
  • Prepared & Tested Incident Response Plans – An up-to-date incident response plan with a trained team like vcpi provides efficiency, speed, and quality in response to cyber incidents. When combined with backups and business continuity plans, it significantly helps to mitigate the impacts on operations and your organization’s reputation, thereby limiting overall costs.
  • Secured & Tested Backups – Attackers are looking to delete backups prior to launching a ransomware attack launch so they can successfully cripple and extort their victims. It is essential to secure backups through encryption and isolation from the network (Offline or MFA-controlled access) as well as regularly test backups and recovery plans.
  • Filtered Emails & Web Content – Malicious links and files are still the primary way to insert ransomware, steal passwords, and eventually access critical systems. Today’s first line of defense includes indispensable technologies to filter incoming emails, block malicious sites or downloads; and test suspicious content in a “sandbox” environment.
  • Protected Network – All breached organizations used firewalls to protect their networks – but the technology is often underutilized or outdated. Now is the time to ensure efficient firewalls and other technologies are in place with well-defined rules; leverage network segmentation, intrusion detection and prevention systems, data leak prevention systems, etc.
  • Managed Vulnerabilities -Regular vulnerability scans and annual penetration testing simulate cyber attacks on the network. Such actions allow organizations to cover existing vulnerabilities and remediate them before threat actors have a chance to exploit them.
  • Secured Endpoints – Advanced anti-malware solutions on workstations, servers, and mobile devices detect malicious programs and contain their speed. Technology allows organizations to remotely respond to attacks and even prevent data leakage. The time when simple ‘anti-virus’ was good enough is behind us.
  • Phishing-Aware Workforce – Recently, attackers took advantage of COVID-19 – when people were stressed the most – as a guise to spread ransomware. There will always be environmental factors that attackers can exploit to deceive people. Training and phishing campaigns help ensure people remain aware and vigilant.
  • Logged & Monitored Network – Logging and monitoring network activities allow an organization to identify something possibly harmful that might be happening. And attackers’ actions can be detected and contained at an early stage. Automated technology combined with operators monitoring is needed to watch network events or anomalous behavior of users.
  • Patched Systems & Applications – Unpatched vulnerabilities remain a leading cause of intrusions into systems. Hundreds of vulnerabilities are revealed every month for multiple applications and systems. When technology environments are not patched in a timely fashion, attackers will seek to exploit their vulnerabilities.
  • Protected Privileged Accounts – Privileged accounts are the keys to a network. When attackers compromise these accounts, the likelihood of causing significant harm is extremely high. Limiting the number of privileged accounts, using strong password security practices/vaults, MFA, and monitoring these accounts are critical to network security.
  • Hardened Device Configuration – Attackers exploit default device settings or misconfigurations. Defining security baselines to harden devices, continuously managing secure configurations, and changing control processes are essential to preventing attackers from reaching their target.

Senior living organizations that purchase cyber insurance can rest assured that they will have the resources they need to recover from an attack and protect their residents. We highly encourage all senior living organizations to meet with a broker to find available options. By purchasing insurance, organizations can minimize the financial and emotional impact of a cyberattack.

For more information on how you can protect your organizations and residents reach out to our team. And to see where your vulnerabilities lie, get a FREE Risk Intelligence Scan. We will provide you with a report of sensitive and at-risk data across your managed networks and workstations, revealing how much a data breach might cost. 

Why Senior Care Organizations Should Get a HIPAA Security Assessment (HSA)

From caregiver mobile apps to “smart” homes, digital tools are becoming a necessity for seniors transitioning between types of care. As care goes more digital, it becomes more critical than ever for senior living organizations to protect their IT systems against data breaches and the costly HIPAA fines that come with them.

HIPAA Compliance in Senior Living 

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a government legislation designed to protect health-related data, ranging from employee information to patient records. HIPAA helps to hold U.S. healthcare organizations accountable for protecting data when switching from paper to electronic record systems.

Healthcare is going more digital by the day, particularly in senior care. Obtaining and maintaining HIPAA compliance is an ongoing cybersecurity role, which senior care organizations may consider outsourcing. At vcpi, we understand the unique HIPAA challenges in home health and assisted living, and how they differ from brick-and-mortar healthcare companies. For example, the Covered Entity must educate all employees, including home health workers, on how to remain HIPAA compliant. Home health employees who use their own devices are at greater risk of loss and theft. It is unsafe to allow personal device use for agency work unless proper security measures are implemented.

Vcpi HIPAA Assessment Services 

The scope of vcpi’s HIPAA Security Assessment (HSA) details the enterprise-wide administrative, physical, and technical controls that protect a company’s Protected Health Information (PHI) in multiple forms.

Typically, our team visits client sites and conducts phone calls to obtain information for the HSA, which includes their existing cybersecurity documentation. We analyze the technical, administrative, and physical security controls, assigning risk levels to each as well as recommendations for improvement. Our reports also present the client’s current compliance levels based on the HIPAA Security Rule and HITECH Act.

We present findings and recommendations on how to remediate risks to organizational management.

Note: These reports are not intended to make a statement or declaration on the client’s overall compliance with HIPAA Security Rule, HITECH Act, or any other applicable regulations. Compliance statements are the clients’ and appropriate regulatory enforcement authority’s responsibility.

Assessment Methodology 

Our HIPAA Security Assessment (HSA) leverages the HIPAA Security Rule and HITECH Act requirements to assemble a baseline of security control objectives.
Vcpi works with clients to perform the following:

  • Obtain necessary documentation
  • Complete assessment paperwork
  • On-site visits
  • Identify, discuss and follow up on findings

First, our team assesses the client’s existing documentation, including company policies, standards, procedures, and related Information Security governance documents. We record every piece that satisfies control objectives in the HSA.

After analyzing documentation, we meet with key client security representatives to discuss their security control environment. We typically conduct these discussions with the review and testing or remaining physical, technical, and administrative controls to measure their effectiveness.

Risk Ratings

After collecting and analyzing security control data, our team assigns risk ratings to each control. These findings explain the severity of the risk and potential impacts on the client’s business operations, information assets, and systems. The below graphic displays a typical outcome:

 

Cost is variable based on scope, industry, and related factors.

Why Senior Care Organizations Should Get a HIPAA Security Assessment (HSA)

From caregiver mobile apps to “smart” homes, digital tools are becoming a necessity for seniors transitioning between types of care. As care goes more digital, it becomes more critical than ever for senior living organizations to protect their IT systems against data breaches and the costly HIPAA fines that come with them.

HIPAA Compliance in Senior Living 

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a government legislation designed to protect health-related data, ranging from employee information to patient records. HIPAA helps to hold U.S. healthcare organizations accountable for protecting data when switching from paper to electronic record systems.

Healthcare is going more digital by the day, particularly in senior care. Obtaining and maintaining HIPAA compliance is an ongoing cybersecurity role, which senior care organizations may consider outsourcing. At vcpi, we understand the unique HIPAA challenges in home health and assisted living, and how they differ from brick-and-mortar healthcare companies. For example, the Covered Entity must educate all employees, including home health workers, on how to remain HIPAA compliant. Home health employees who use their own devices are at greater risk of loss and theft. It is unsafe to allow personal device use for agency work unless proper security measures are implemented. 

Vcpi HIPAA Assessment Services 

The scope of vcpi’s HIPAA Security Assessment (HSA) details the enterprise-wide administrative, physical, and technical controls that protect a company’s Protected Health Information (PHI) in multiple forms.

Typically, our team visits client sites and conducts phone calls to obtain information for the HSA, which includes their existing cybersecurity documentation. We analyze the technical, administrative, and physical security controls, assigning risk levels to each as well as recommendations for improvement. Our reports also present the client’s current compliance levels based on the HIPAA Security Rule and HITECH Act.

We present findings and recommendations on how to remediate risks to organizational management. 

Note: These reports are not intended to make a statement or declaration on the client’s overall compliance with HIPAA Security Rule, HITECH Act, or any other applicable regulations. Compliance statements are the clients’ and appropriate regulatory enforcement authority’s responsibility. 

Assessment Methodology 

Our HIPAA Security Assessment (HSA) leverages the HIPAA Security Rule and HITECH Act requirements to assemble a baseline of security control objectives.
Vcpi works with clients to perform the following:

  • Obtain necessary documentation
  • Complete assessment paperwork
  • On-site visits
  • Identify, discuss and follow up on findings

First, our team assesses the client’s existing documentation, including company policies, standards, procedures, and related Information Security governance documents. We record every piece that satisfies control objectives in the HSA.

After analyzing documentation, we meet with key client security representatives to discuss their security control environment. We typically conduct these discussions with the review and testing or remaining physical, technical, and administrative controls to measure their effectiveness.

Risk Ratings

After collecting and analyzing security control data, our team assigns risk ratings to each control. These findings explain the severity of the risk and potential impacts on the client’s business operations, information assets, and systems. The below graphic displays a typical outcome:

 

Cost is variable based on scope, industry, and related factors.