Blockchain technology has significant implications for every industry, but healthcare is ideal for the increased security and efficiency that come with this new trend. Read on to ensure you’re prepared for what’s coming.
What is blockchain?
Although the technology was first associated with Bitcoin and other digital currencies, blockchain is not exclusive to the financial sector.

Learning about HIPAA is no fun task. To make it a little more interesting, we’re going to spice it up with a guest appearance by Kanye West. The musical artist’s recent stay at an LA hospital is a great example of what you need to know when educating employees about what constitutes a breach and how to avoid them.

Administering medical care electronically makes a lot of sense. It’s a practical way for patients to receive care and for doctors to provide it. Advances in telemedicine, a type of medical practice that takes place without the doctor and patient sharing the same physical space, is increasing in popularity, and rightly so.

Some healthcare companies see HIPAA and other compliance regulations as a bane to their business, mainly because of the lengthy and complicated requirements. Poring over authorities’ regulations and ensuring that all areas of operations remain compliant call for a high level of expertise, something that small- and medium-sized businesses may lack.

Although totally necessary, data privacy regulations are often a gigantic headache. And king among the various compliance standards is HIPAA. Despite the legislation’s enactment back in 2003, the rules governing electronic medical records and protected health information continue to change and evolve every year.

Since 2011, the trojan Stegoloader has infected machines all over the U.S. with malware disguising itself as a pirated product key generator. Once deployed, the trojan steals electronic medical records and attacks system vulnerabilities. Although the healthcare industry has been the primary target, other businesses are not invulnerable.

Technology is constantly changing and evolving. And while many of these changes are designed to add convenience to people's lives, there is a chance that some technological advances can do much more. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a form of technology that may have the potential to do real good for humankind through applications in the healthcare industry.

The medical industry is one of the most data-rich business sectors of the 21st century. Patients that receive care have hundreds of data points associated with their medical history -- but how is this data being handled? In most cases, not carefully enough.

The tech industry is littered with buzzwords: overused jargon generally meant to inspire feelings of hope and accomplishment. Not all have positive connotations however, and data compliance is one of those spooky buzzwords that many small- and medium-sized businesses have scant specific knowledge about.

ESPN recently reported that a laptop containing the medical records of thousands of NFL players was stolen from the car of a Washington Redskins’ trainer. And while the team released a statement saying no health information protected under HIPAA guidelines was at risk, the incident shows that EMRs are vulnerable no matter the size of your company.