How the healthcare industry copes with computer hacking in their technological systems a case of US?

HOW THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY COPES WITH COMPUTER HACKING IN THEIR TECHNOLOGICAL SYSTEMS: A CASE OF US
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Table of Contents
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Executive Summary  PAGEREF _Toc346661030 \h
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Introduction  PAGEREF _Toc346661031 \h
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Literature Review  PAGEREF _Toc346661032 \h
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Conclusion  PAGEREF _Toc346661033 \h
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Reference  PAGEREF _Toc346661034 \h
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Executive Summary
In recent years, the cyber crime rate, computer hacking as well as virus attacks has been consistently on the rise globally. Persistent security breaches have ended up causing damages to the organizations IS (Ogut, 2006). Many of these Organizations have in turn tended to use different security technologies such as intrusion detection system, firewalls, biometric, encryption and other authentication system to deter these problems. However, studies reveal that it is not an easy task to eliminate or prevent these breaches from happening. This has led to many organizations using other tools such as insurance to cater for the losses emanating from the security breaches. Although these technological instruments are poised to reduce vulnerabilities and losses, how many firms manage their IT security risks is not yet clear to many.
The last decade has seen the IT sector evolve from one stage to another. These information systems have enhanced the operations of many organizations and the connection between them and their clients. The IT has enabled many of these businesses to thrive in various aspects and even become major operators in the global economy. The closeness of the organizations with their customers has unfortunately made them to be vulnerable with regard to unprecedented technology risks. Whitman, (2004) observes that, the evolution of security technology systems have not been able to keep up with the increasing computing systems in particular. These has resulted into security technology issues such as computer hacking, spywares, cyber attacks, viruses, as well as other security breaches on a daily basis. Numerous studies have grouped these types of security breaches as the common threats to information security.
Though studies on IT aspect have been extensive, clear information on how the health industry manages their Information Technology related risks is lacking. Most studies with regard to IT management system have been recent and limited. Earlier studies in this perspective were centered on framework development in IT security management, or organization’s practices with regard to IT security management (Claffin 2001, Karofsky 2001). There is some range of literature related to risk management and insurance, but these also fail to tackle the inherent features of IT security. This study aims to examine how the health industry copes with computer hacking in USA perspective.
Introduction
Security management in IT has become in recent times, one of the important issues in many organizations. This is so due to the number of increased security breaches as well as financial losses experienced by these firms (Power 2002). By recognizing and quantifying IT security risks, both public and private organizations do not necessarily aim to eliminate these occurrences but reduce the risks to a level that is acceptable. For instance, in alleviating these risks, health institutions have tended to increase their financial budgets towards incorporating security technologies such as intrusion detection systems to prevent hacking and other breaches. These include but not limited to, firewalls, biometric, encryption and other authentication systems. As Straub, (1990) observes, many other organization have also incorporated policies that are aimed at limiting security risks in their IT departments.
The healthcare industry has until recently been a target for hackers. The incentive behind these actions in most cases varies, ranging from financial gains to simply acquiring sensitive, personal and institutional information. American healthcare industry may be one of the well protected with regard to its information systems, interestingly; incidences of hacking in these institutions still abound almost on a daily basis.
Literature Review
Wendy et al, (1998) observes that majority of the players in the health sector in USA have until recently, not put enough emphasis in dealing with computer hacking menace experienced in their systems. It is interesting that not many of these health organizations recognize the dangers this phenomena poses to the institution and the patient’s security. In addition, many such organizations as the researchers noted, have not identified the need in formulating proper strategies nor cooperating with other government agencies to solve this issue. Therefore, one of the main obstacles identified by these researchers as hindering effective prevention in computer hacking is lack of proper policies and coordination.
Studies by various scholars (Lemos, 2003; Niccolai, 2000, Gordon et al. , 2004; Cavusoglu et al, ...