Using Encryption to Protect Medical Records

Around 1.4 million Americans have their identity stolen each year, and hospital records are not immune from being targeted by criminals. Thieves know the information contained in your hospital records is enough to allow them to take out a loan in your name – as a start. Fortunately, hospitals realize it too and use encryption to protect your sensitive digital records from identity thieves. 

Once an identity is stolen, setting the record straight is not an easy task. The effort can consume hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars. Since 1 in 10 people will have their identity stolen at some time, hospitals know among that crowd in the ER waiting room, it is not a matter of “if” but of “when” many of them will have their identities stolen. 

What Does Encryption Do? 

Encryption takes all your information and writes it in code. Only users who have the encryption key can decipher the code. To everyone else, the data is a meaningless jumble of nonsense. 

When data is stored in a computer after being encrypted, even if a thief can hack into a system and steal a file, the information would be useless. 

Encryption Protects You! 

Anyone who has ever had anything stolen from them understands how rotten it feels. The object’s value rarely compares to the ugly violation thrust upon you. Imagine if it wasn’t just a thing that was stolen, however. Imagine you had your entire life stolen from you. Could there ever be a bottom to that pit? 

Encryption ensures that type of theft will never happen, and all the information which combines to create your life will remain safe and secure. 

Encryption Helps The Hospital! 

Before you start feeling all warm and fuzzy about how much the hospital does to protect you, remember when they ask and you give them information, that information becomes their responsibility. They are liable for any theft or misuse of the information. 

Hospitals do not want to be on the hook for any fraction of the billions stolen along with identities each year. They encrypt data to store the information you trust with them responsibly. I’m not sure about you, but that is what makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. 

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