Security Program
Introduction
Information security is an important concept in health care. A large percentage of hospitals in the country do not know how to manage information. The hospitals do not store information securely. This has made it easy for outsiders to access it. This has in turn affected credibility of the facilities and patients. Also, lack of secure storage has led to increase in law suits. For the last two decades, hospitals have adopted security programs to enhance information security. This is because of the current advances in technology. Technology has made it easy for organizations to develop information security programs. Though many organizations have adopted security programs, most of the programs are not effective. This is because the organizations do not know how to develop a security program. This has increased risks in the organization. This paper analyzes the process of establishing a security program and the objectives of the security program. It also analyzes the components of a security program and their importance.
Security program
A security program is important in health care as it helps health care facilities store information securely. Access of ethical care information by unauthorized people has become a major concern in health cadre. This is because some of the facilities do not have security programs. Other facilities have not developed the security programs well. Developing a security program is not easy and most organizations find it difficulty to establish a security program. There are various steps that the organizations can use to develop security programs. First, managers and other staff should assess the existing security programs. They should assess its weakness and strengths. This will make it easy for managers to know what is missing from the programs. The information collected from the assessment of the security program is used to develop a new security program or improve the existing security program. When assessing the information security program, the managers should look at the security problems the organization is facing. This will enable the managers to establish a new security program to overcome the challenges. The information gathered forms a basis for other steps that are followed when creating a security program (Peltier, 2002).
After assessing the existing program, the managers and the staff should assess the objectives of the healthcare facilities. Identifying the objectives of the health care facility will make it easy to develop the new program. One of the objectives of health care facility is keeping clients’ information confidential. Another objective is improving patients’ satisfaction by storing the information gotten from the patient well. The new security program should be inline with the objective of the health care facility (Peltier, 2002).
Moreover, the managers should educate the staff on security policies that govern the security program. Most employees in the organization do not know the security policies that are used in the organization. This affects information security in the organization as employees violate the policies set. The employees should be made aware of the policies so as to reduce the risks. This will make it easy for managers to establish the security programs in the organization (Mather &Egna, 2004).
After creating awareness, managers should establish the security program. The program should be developed well so as to ensure the objectives set are met. The security program should be developed according to the objectives of the organization. For instance, the architecture of the security program should be developed well to avoid leakage of information. Information from the security program should be accessed by people who are not authorized (Mather &Egna, 2004).
In addition, the security program should be multilayered so as to prevent unauthorized access to the information. Hence, ensuring the information stored is secure.
Further, the managers and the staff need to implement the security program. The implementation of the security program should be carried out well. The managers and the staff should ensure the security program is inline with the control policies when implementing it (Mather &Egna, 2004).
Also, the managers need to monitor the security program after implementing it. The security program should be monitored frequently so as to in identify any threats to the program. Monitoring of the security program will help ensure in formation security. The steps above are required to establish the security program (Mather &Egna, 2004).
Objectives of the security program
There are various objectives of the security program. The security program is supposed to help health care organizations keep information securely. Most organizations face difficulties in managing information. The security program will help overcome information security issues. The security program will help prevent the patients’ information from being accessed by a third party. Also, the security program will help detect risks in the organization and prevent them from affecting information (Kairab, 2004).
The goals of the security program are operational. The goals will only be operational if the managers establish a security program that is inline with the objectives listed above. The security program should be aimed at helping the organization achieve the objective set above. For example, the architecture of the security program should help meet the goals set and make them achievable. It should protect the information stored from unauthorized access. Also, the security program should be able to detect risks and respond accordingly (Kairab, 2004).
Components of a security program
A security program consists of various elements. That is technology, processes, people and facility. The elements of a security program work together to ensure the information is secure. Technology is an important component as it helps automate processes. The processes found in a security program need to be driven by technology so as to perform their functions. Technology is used to ensure information security by preventing unauthorized access. Only authorized members are supposed to access the information. The members access the information through passwords etc. the technology used in the security program should be multilayered so also prevent transfer of information to unauthorized people. It should ensure frequent monitoring of the security policy. The technology differs from one unit to another, so monitoring helps maintain controls. The technology should not allow multiple paths to access information. It should prevent use of multiple paths to access information (Kairab, 2004).
In addition, a security program consists of people. There are various groups that help in establishment of the security program. Managers and staff need to establish the security program and maintain it. The managers identify the duties of every member in the organization. This will ensure effective establishment of the security program (Kairab, 2004).
Another element of a security program is processes. Processes help maintain controls in the security program. A security program has security processes that are used to achieve the goals set. The processes play different roles in the security program. For example, processes help control risks in the organization. Also, the process help measure the availability of data and integrity in the organization. There are various kinds of processes. Examples include information risk assessment processes. This process is used to identify risks and assess them. Another process is information security strategy that is used prevent risks in the organization. It helps managers to integrate technology, policies and procedures so as to prevent risks. The process allows managers to train the staff how to prevent risks. A security control implementation allows managers to assign duties to various employees in the organization. It also helps managers acquire new technology to prevent risks. The security monitoring process helps determine if risks are being assessed and controlled in the right manner (Kairab, 2004).
Conclusion
In conclusion, a security program is important in health care as it helps overcome information security issues. A security program helps store information well and prevent illegal access to the information. It also helps detect risks and take actions. Managers should follow the following procedures when establishing a security program. First, the managers should asses the existing system. Then they should identify the objectives of the organization. The security program should be developed according to the objectives of the organization. After developing the security program, the manager should implement it. They should define the roles various members will apply during the implementation. Lastly, the managers and other employees should monitor the security program to identify any risks. This will ensure the organizations information is secure. The elements of a security program are people, processes, technology and facilities.
Reference
Kairab, S. (2004).A practical guide to security assessments. Auerbach Publications
Mather, T., &Egna,M.(2004).Developing your information security program. Retrieved fromhttp://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=353172 on 26/08/2010.
Peltier, T.R.(2002).Information security policies, procedures, and standards: guidelines for effective information security management. Auerbach Publications
Is this your assignment or some part of it?
We can do it for you! Click to Order!
