[March 21, 2023]

51 Million Americans Were Affected by Healthcare Data Breaches in 2022 Due to Weak Security

Smart Meter, the number one Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) solution supplier to the largest nationwide network of SmartPartners, is releasing data security guidance for companies that provide remote patient monitoring and remote therapeutic monitoring programs to the healthcare industry. The paper "The Importance of Health Data Security Workflows in Remote Patient Monitoring and Remote Therapeutic Monitoring" reviews emerging data security threats from overseas monitoring device vendors and the associated costs of exposing patient data to security breaches.

According to recent data released by the Department of Health and Human Services, more than 51 million people in the U.S. were affected by healthcare data breaches in 2022.¹ The Smart Meter guidance discusses emerging threats and best practices of standard security protocols that RPM companies should consider when evaluating their vendors and data networks regarding patient-generated health data security.

A report from West Monroe Partner's concluded that 35 percent of healthcare organizations surveyed held more than 50 percent of data or infrastructure in the cloud. Healthcare thus proved to be the farthest along with cloud adoption when compared to other industries.² In addition, an AT&T 2022 Cybersecurity Insight Report noted that "while for most other industries ransomware attacks are the number one concern, healthcare sees two other attack vectors as top-of-mind ahead of ransomware: the potential for attacks against servers or data at the network edge and attacks against associated cloud workloads."³

"Smart Meter has created one of the most secure networks in all of healthcare, not just the remote patient monitoring (RPM) sector," stated Casey Pittock, CEO of Smart Meter, LLC. "We have made significant investments over the past several years to embed proprietary security protocols in our RPM devices, platform, and network to ensure patient health data can only be transmitted when connected to our exclusive and secure Private Data Network for RPM."

There are multiple areas in the RPM data management workflows where a lack of security protocols might expose vulnerabilities allowing access to highlydesirable patient data. Successful, trusted device and data vendors follow best practices in data security to ensure RPM companies do not suffer the potential business continuity issues associated with security breaches. Download a copy of the health data security workflows paper here.

About Smart Meter, LLC

Smart Meter is the number one supplier of Remote Patient Monitoring ("RPM") solutions to a nationwide network of SmartPartners™ who are transforming patient care. Millions of vital health data readings are reliably delivered across our secure platform, enabling SmartPartners™ to provide real-time, better-informed health care. Our proprietary, patient-friendly, cellular, FDA-registered monitoring devices are connected to an exclusive AT&T 4/5G private data network to ensure an engaging patient experience for improved adherence. For more information, visit SmartMeterRPM.com.

References

1. As data breaches surge, your medical info is vulnerable to hackers (usatoday.com)
2. AT&T Cybersecurity Insights Report: A Focus on Healthcare | AT&T Cybersecurity (att.com)
3. 5 Ways Cloud Computing Is Impacting Healthcare (healthitoutcomes.com)

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230321005710/en/

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