The mental health profession is facing a pressing challenge that goes beyond therapeutic techniques and patient care – it is cyber risk mitigation. As a mental health professional your patient’s well-being is a paramount concern. What is often overlooked is prioritizing the safety of sensitive digital patient information and ensuring ethical compliance. This article will explore the connection between therapeutic alliances a mental health professional seeks to achieve with patients and the role of cyber risk mitigation from a practice management perspective.
A cybersecurity incident can result in legal consequences and ethical violations, jeopardizing patients, and the practice itself.
Patient confidentiality is a cornerstone in the mental health profession. Clients confide their most profound and personal concerns, trusting that their information will remain confidential. Such records are a prime target for cyber criminals, who seek to exploit vulnerable individuals and organizations to profit from them by selling sensitive data on the dark web. Protected health information (PHI) records sell anywhere between $250 and $1,000 per record, far more than the average $100 for a credit card number. Technology failures that expose PHI can lead to severe emotional distress and potential harm to patients, identity theft, and stalking in the real-world or cyber space.
The therapeutic relationship you are seeking with your patients relies on trust. When patients fear that their information may be compromised due to technical vulnerabilities, they may be reluctant to share personal and sensitive information openly, therefore hindering the therapeutic process. This lack of trust can have far-reaching implications for patient progress and well-being.
Patient records sell for $250 - $1,000 per record on the dark web.
Reassuring patient records are protected is part of practice management efforts. Mental health professionals have legal and ethical obligations to protect patient confidentiality. A cybersecurity incident can result in legal consequences and ethical violations, jeopardizing patients, and the practice itself. Therefore, it is essential to look at cyber risk mitigation efforts as a method to protect data and safeguard professional reputation and the practice's future. Because of State-level disclosure requirements, a data breach will likely result in public embarrassment and reputational damage. Potentially causing patients to seek care elsewhere, leading to a loss of revenue and credibility. If investigations conclude that no minimal steps were taken to protect patient data, the practice may face regulatory penalties and legal actions, which can be financially and professionally devastating.
In conclusion, cyber risk mitigation efforts are essential for the mental health profession and goes beyond just safeguarding data. It is about upholding the trust and well-being of patients, maintaining ethical standards, and securing the practice's future. A modern practice must consider a modern approach to cyber risk mitigation to ensure a safe and secure environment.
Visit www.proactivediscovery.com/healthcare for current statistics and additional information.
