Mar 8
2019
Healthcare Biometrics Booms With Collaborations And New Product Launches
By Pratik Kirve, writer, blogger, and content writer, Allied Analytics.
Healthcare providers have been considering data confidentiality more than ever. It has become a part of patient experience as the implementation of biometric technology to safeguard patient information adds a layer of trust and confidence. As the popularity of biometric authentication increases among smartphone users, healthcare providers have been utilizing it for various processes, especially security. According to the cybersecurity survey by HIMSS, there has been a significant improvement in awareness regarding cybersecurity among healthcare organizations.
More funding has been allocated to IT departments and the advantage of an increasing number of healthcare-specific solutions have been taken. Though the survey spotted many flaws in the implementation of security measures such as usage of outdated tech in the networks, the awareness, and implementation of security shows organizations have taken patient data security seriously. The survey found that hackers have begun security breaches and organizations need to put better vigilance over the patient data and information.
Various measures have been taken by market players and tech giants to ensure the security of data. Fingerprint reading technology has been released to improve security and offer controlled access. Market players have been collaborating to enable better security through integration of iris biometric information with blockchain network. The industry for healthcare biometrics is booming. According to the research firm Allied Market Research, the global healthcare biometrics market is expected to grow at a considerable CAGR through 2023. Following are some of the activities taking place in the industry:
Crossmatch fingerprint reading technology to protect data
The trend of new product launches has arrived, and various companies have been launching their products. Crossmatch, a division of HID Global, made an announcement regarding its fingerprint reading technology that enables identity management for Lenovo ThinkPad T490 Healthcare Edition. This fingerprint reader can protect the information of patients with FIPS-201 compliant Personal Identity Verification (PIV). It also offers multi-factor authentication to ensure optimum security and controlled access.
John Hinmon, vice president of marketing at Crossmatch, outlined that hospitals and other healthcare clinics are fast-paced environments that need the security of a huge amount of data. The integration of fingerprint reading technology with Lenovo’s ThinkPad enables users to keep data secure and offers access without slowing down of systems. The implementation of Crossmatch fingerprint reading technology adds a layer of biometric identity management to protect data, access, and online activities. Security of laptops that are carried everywhere around the facility can be secured.
IrisGuard and Patientory to collaborate for better security
Collaboration is another strategy implemented by market players to offer security to patient data and information. IrisGuard, a specialist in iris biometrics, has collaborated with Patientory, a provider of healthcare-focused blockchain network. The focus is on patient identification. The EyePay Phone technology of IrisGuard will be used for verification of end users of Patientory. Iris biometric information of users will be linked to the health information on Patientory’s PTOYNet blockchain. This offers reliable and secure access.
Commenting on the collaboration, Imad Malha, CEO of IrisGuard, outlined that this combined solution provides peace of mind to patients as the most accurate identification technology is available. The authentication and authorization processes ensure the privacy and trust of patients. Patientory stated that it would start the testing of combined solution through clinical trials this year.
The outdated networks need to be replaced with the latest advanced technologies. Appropriate measures to counter known threats need to be taken. Healthcare providers have been targets of phishing scams and nearly 36 percent of them have not conducted any testing to lower the chances of a successful attack, according to the survey of HIMSS. With new product launches and collaboration, healthcare organizations need to protect patient data and information. Appropriate measures need to be taken with time.