Cyber Security Engineer at ESET East Africa, Allan Juma, has said that telehealth platforms must prioritise data protection to safeguard patient information and guarantee the steady growth of digital healthcare.
He recently revealed that the platforms will seamlessly connect rural patients with doctors located very far away from them.
Speaking via a press statement, Allan disclosed that telehealth services are absolutely vital for Africans who currently lack access to basic healthcare, and virtual consultations could be the answer to the lingering issue.
According to him, however, because virtual consultation will lead to the storage of huge volumes of sensitive data, including health records, test results, and treatment plans, cybercriminals often target them.
Allan revealed that telehealth providers should seek advanced cybersecurity measures while educating both healthcare practitioners and patients on the best ways to guarantee digital safety.
The engineer disclosed that telehealth platforms can easily integrate with existing healthcare systems like electronic health records, patient management systems, hospital infrastructure, and third-party vendors, which go a long way towards enhancing diagnosis and treatment efficiency.
Citing potential risks like patients or healthcare workers using insecure connections or compromised devices to expose themselves to cyberattacks, Allan recommended compulsory multi-factor authentication and role-based access controls for users, healthcare providers, administrators, and patients.
The security expert warned that cybercriminals are skilled when it comes to exploiting trust in healthcare professionals, and patients should be aware of fraudulent communications meant to trick them into sharing sensitive information or clicking on malicious links.
Such attacks, Allan said, could result in ransomware threats or interruptions in real-time communication, which are especially dangerous during critical care cases.
He reiterated that cybersecurity training for healthcare workers and patients should be taken seriously to ward off avoidable threats. Juma wrapped up by urging telehealth providers across the continent to focus on safeguarding patient data, while healthcare professionals concentrate on delivering lifesaving care.
