Cybersecurity Trends Impacting Emergency Medical Responders or Technicians

Trends of Cybersecurity
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Trends of Cybersecurity
Emergency medical responders or technicians (EMTs) are trained to respond faster in medical situations. Within the United States (U.S.) Air Force, EMTs are trained to offer emergency medical treatment, conduct evacuation, and provide limited primary care in the field or the Air force health facility. One of the most significant threats to EMTs' ability to effectively deliver on their job is cybersecurity threats. Cyber-attacks are regarded as one of the fastest-growing crimes in the world, with substantial financial losses. According to Kagita et al. (2022), the potential for criminality within cyberspace is increasing due to network growth and the use of sophisticated methods (p.2). The American Air Force, like many other entities, is committed to mitigating and preventing potential data breaches and hacking scenarios because they can lead to reputation damage, financial losses, and loss of lives. Moreover, organizations, including the Air Force, can be subjected to costly settlements and strict regulations when consumer health data is compromised. The primary cybersecurity trends impacting EMTs include multi-factor authentication, biometrics, network segmentation, real-time analytics, medical cybersecurity regulations, machine learning and cloud-based technologies that can help secure patient data and improve the clinical experience.
As a means to secure patient data, many health facilities are adopting multi-factor authentication (MFA) since passwords that are widely used can be hacked. Risk assessments conducted on single-factor authentication, such as passwords, have shown that they are susceptible to diverse vulnerabilities, including but not limited to brute force and malware attacks; thus, MFA offers a solution by creating multiple layers of the needed security (Das et al., 2019, p.1). However, it should be acknowledged that multi-factor authentication is yet to be embraced fully within the healthcare landscape. EMTs in the U.S. Air Force are aware of the importance of securing electronic patient records and patient databases. As a result, many have begun to work with security vendors to organize the implementation of two-factor authentication through various platforms, including soft tokens, physical tokens, and smartphones.
Multi-factor authentication is bound to increase security in U.S. Air Force healthcare facilities. EMTs and other healthcare professionals will be required to identify themselves using either a physical hardware key or a thumbprint to keep away cyber criminals. MFA works by asking for additional verification information, such as using one-time passwords (OTPs) that are sent via SMS or email. They are usually a 4 to 8-digit code generated each time authentication is required. Securing electronic patient records and database is vital in ensuring positive health outcomes with the air force. By working with military leaders, EMTs can augment the execution of multi-factor authentication at affordable costs to mitigate the risk of hacking and cyber security breaches in the military (Medical Device Network, 2021).
The EMTs in the U.S. Air Force are adopting biometrics to keep patient records secure from prying eyes. Biometrics provides cybersecurity layers, access, and control identity management and offers a better clinical experience. Biometrics is defined as individual biological elements with the ability to identify a person's identity. It may include facial recognition, iris scanning, voice recognition, or fingerprints (Medical Device Network, 2021). Biometrics is essential to cybersecurity as the data collected from biometrics cannot be replicated, making it hard for someone to commit fraud. Biometric systems often use sensors to analyze and capture an individual’s behavioral and physical characteristics. A person's behavioral and physiological biometric parameters can identify a person using their characteristics and can thus not be lost or stolen easily unless through taking one's life (McAteer et al., 2019, p.7). Many healthcare facilities are adopting the use of biometrics due to their ease of use and accuracy. They provide an alternative to previously known authentication methods like PINs and passwords, generally based on personal details.
Network segmentation as a new trend is bound to reinforce provider security and improve the clinical experience. It entails separating the network and allowing only individuals accessing it to view it. Mhaskar et al. (2021) indicate that network segmentation calls for companies to store resources in diverse security levels and protect those using firewalls and relevant policies (p.1). It is an excellent method to control access levels, especially when viewing sensitive data. Network segmentation is essential to the U.S. Air Force health facilities as it will limit access to medical data ensuring that health personnel such as the EMT comply with regulations like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Network segmentation can effectively mitigate the susceptibility of the military’s information systems, especially infrastructures that are difficult to upgrade. Since many attacks begin with phishing emails, network segmentation will prevent these criminals from accessing the organization's network.
Health facilities are adopting real-time analytics to detect advanced threats and protec...