ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD CYBERSECURITY: BALANCING INSIDER AND EXTERNAL THREAT PROTECTION WITH CLINICAL USABILITY AND PATIENT SAFETY

Abstract

The healthcare sector has been revolutionized by the application of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) in digitizing healthcare, improving efficiency, and enhancing access to data within healthcare systems. Greater reliance on EHRs, however, has opened possibilities for exposure to insider and external threats. Insider threats are usually caused by the abuse of access rights by healthcare employees, while external threats are caused by cyberattacks such as ransomware, phishing, and data breaches. This paper explores the nature of insider and external threats to EHRs, evaluates existing security systems, and recommends methods such as access control, encryption, machine learning–based anomaly detection, and adherence to regulatory standards such as HIPAA. Through the integration of technology, organizational, and human aspects, healthcare systems can enhance EHR security while maintaining usability within clinical workflows.