Happy Data Privacy Day!
Do you know how your data is being used, and by whom? The systems we interact with and use every day can compromise sensitive data and leave us vulnerable to phishing schemes and fraud.
Data Privacy Day was established in 2007 by the Council of Europe and then recognized by the United States Senate in 2009, and provides an opportunity for users to educate themselves on how their personal information is being used and start a dialogue on this subject.
When considering data privacy measures, the two key areas where vigilance is crucial are 1) at home and 2) our healthcare institutions.
Let’s take a closer look at the ways we can ensure confidential information and private data stays that way.
Data Privacy vs. Data Security
While the terms “data privacy” and “data security” might seem interchangeable, they are not.
Data privacy is focused on how data should be treated, depending on its value and importance, and data security relates to how this data should be protected.
How to be Proactive with Your Data Privacy At Home
Applications such as online banking and email pose risks for compromising data. When managing personal finances, legal documents and other private files, there are several ways to proactively protect this information.
Here are a couple simple practices to ensure data privacy at home:
- Always “agree” to OS updates. It can be nuisance when the operating system updates roll around for our phones and computers, but these updates typically come with enhanced security. Installing these updates immediately when they become available will act as an added measure to safeguard your online activity.
- Be wary of phish bait. Phishing attacks often use phony emails, domains and web pages to reel in unsuspecting victims.
These hackers steal private data, so if you're in any doubt about a communication, “contact the purported sender directly -- preferably using a different method. And if you’re sharing sensitive data or paying for something online, make sure the website is secure with the “https://” prefix,” according to Toolbox Tech.
The Importance of Data Privacy in Healthcare
Data privacy for medical records, payment methods and Protected Health Information (PHI) is of the utmost importance.
The use of proper data handling in compliance with HIPAA helps combat waste, fraud and abuse in health insurance and healthcare delivery.
A key regulatory component of maintaining data privacy in healthcare is data encryption. At United Language Group, we implement language solutions that are compliant with the strict HIPAA laws and encrypt private communications and data.
Our machine translation engine, OctaveMT, uses 256-Bit Encryption on all data transfers.
Additionally, each of our medical interpreters and translators are specially trained for the handling of PHI, private data and patient records.
As the only language provider in the industry with a HITRUST certification, we are able to ensure a higher level of data privacy.
While healthcare organizations must comply with the data privacy regulations laid out by HIPAA, it’s crucial they also partner with vendors that hold themselves to the same standards for patients everywhere.
Contact our team today to discuss how our data-private language solutions can bolster your organization.
To view more on how to stay safe online click here.
