Enhancing Wearable Technology with Zero Trust & HCD for Improved Privacy & Patient Compliance

Introduction to Enhancing Wearable Technology with Zero Trust & HCD

Wearable technology has become increasingly important in healthcare by providing continuous patient monitoring, However, providers and patients must consider the privacy and security concerns that come with wearables, which may cause patients to be wary of using them. This is where zero trust comes in, which uses HCD to adjust security compliance based on user needs. For instance, zero trust mitigates risks associated with wearables by ensuring effective data privacy so that patients feel safe in complying with their treatments. Furthermore, HCD with zero trust means that nurses and doctors will have different safety processes to protect sensitive patient data while still being provided with a seamless experience.

Zero Trust & Privacy in Wearable Technology

Wearable devices such as heart rate monitors and glucose sensors collect sensitive patient data that are often used to adjust and monitor treatment. Unlike traditional security processes, zero trust ensures that each authentication request is verified before being granted access. This means that wearable technologies can be protected from unauthorized access and potential data breaches. Furthermore, even if a wearable device is compromised, zero trust provides continuous authentication and strict access control that prevents a hacker from having unchecked and unlimited access. Therefore, implementing zero trust with wearables ensures that a patient’s private data is protected and only viewed by authorized medical professionals in an appropriate context.

Furthermore, zero trust provides a sense of trust to patients, who may be afraid that their sensitive data, such as biometric information and diagnoses, may be released. This may lead to them avoiding wearables altogether, or not following through with their treatment plans. Additionally, this is essential in areas such as federal health IT solutions, which require standardized security protocols that provide consistent compliance and efficiency. Overall, zero trust is an effective way to gain confidence in wearables, resulting in improved compliance and positive patient outcomes.

HCD and Security Customization

It’s important to incorporate HCD with zero trust security because HCD focuses on optimizing technology for the end user. This means that different devices and people may require different security needs and processes. For instance, a patient with a wearable device will require different security measures and protections than a doctor accessing a patient’s medical record. Furthermore, zero trust security incorporates context-based authentication, often analyzing a user/device’s behavior, type of request, and behavior before granting access. Therefore, this context-based authentication may need to be adjusted depending on the level of data being accessed. For instance, patients accessing their wearables may require less authentication than a healthcare provider, who may need multi-factor authentication to access critical data.

Furthermore, HCD ensures that security processes are designed with usability in mind. For instance, security measures should not be too complicated to where a user cannot navigate and gain access when needed. For instance, although remote providers may have to use multi-factor authentication and a VPN, this might be too complicated for patients. Therefore, a solution may be to use a patient’s biometric information to log in. This is also important in government healthcare technology, which must cater to a wide range of stakeholders such as patients and providers who may have different levels of experiences and needs. Therefore, it’s important to use HCD to balance the diverse needs of different healthcare environments and cater security configurations based on user needs and goals. Zero trust frameworks must dynamically adjust access based on HCD so that each user has a customized and secure experience that balances security and usability.

Importance of Incorporating HCD into Zero Trust Frameworks

Zero trust security is crucial for diverse healthcare environments that range from medical devices to providers accessing electronic health records. By ensuring strict authentication and encrypted data transmission, zero trust provides patients with the confidence they need to trust their devices and follow through with their treatment plans. This is crucial in areas focusing on DHA digital transformation efforts, which must provide secure wearables for military personnel and civilians. Overall, HCD ensures that security is aligned with usability through zero-trust frameworks that are secure yet user-friendly.

HITS

HITS provides healthcare management services & works with doctors to develop health informatics tools that promote safe and secure care. We take pride in our services and settle for nothing other than 100% quality solutions for our clients. Having the right team assist with data sharing is crucial to encouraging collaborative and secure care. If you’re looking for the right team, HITS is it! You can reach out to us directly at info@healthitsol.com. Check out this link if you’re interested in having a 15-minute consultation with us: https://bit.ly/3RLsRXR.

References

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2542660524003159
2. https://gulfbusiness.com/wearable-device-manufacturers-can-ensure-security/
3. https://healthtechmagazine.net/article/2023/02/zero-trust-in-healthcare-perfcon#:~:text=Zero%20Trust%20vs.,-Least%20Privilege&text=Zero%20trust%20enables%20healthcare%20organizations,healthcare%20organizations%20implement%20zero%20trust.