SURVEY: 18% OF HEALTH EMPLOYEES WOULD SELL CONFIDENTIAL DATA
I chose this article by [++Stu Sjouwerman++](https://blog.knowbe4.com/author/stu-sjouwerman) to discuss with all of you. I deal with proprietary information most every day at my current occupation within #Verizon Communications Inc. Weekly, I am put into the position of either denying or allowing someone to gain access and information about another person’s cellular data. Quite often it’s a parent that wants access to their child’s phone records or text message history. Other times it’s a significant other who is attempting to access private information within an account that they are on, but do not have account authorization to see. Following proper protocol and #vetting each customer to their appropriate level of authorization sounds easy enough, but when emotions are involved, this can cause some serious situations between the employee and customer. #Socialengineering, lies and even bribes to gain access to information is something that I’ve become accustomed to in my tenure within the industry.
I imagine that working in the #healthcare industry has a few of the same scenarios I mentioned above. I found it interesting that one out of five hospital professionals are engaging in the selling of personal medical #informationforprofit. In a day and age where more and more companies are forcing employees to share their vaccination status, those unwilling to compromise not only run the risk of being put on unpaid leave, but now risk having this information doxed by malicious employees at the hospital. It is concerning to say the least. The author goes on to explain, “…28% said they are willing to sell confidential data. According to Accenture, this suggests that it’s the quality of the training that matters, not the frequency or quantity.” I am of the impression that it is because simply firing offenders is just not enough. Is it fair that legal action be taken against them? Where guilty parties will be held responsible, including the hospital as well?
One way of making sure our medical information is protected may lie within an #Ethereum smart contract, or some other form of #blockchain technology. When the information is access or viewed there can be #protocols in place that alert the owner, and prompt them for permission. Measures like the one above are already being explored as seen on the National Library of Medicine’s website. By sending messages to patients and medical experts in real time, an Ethereum smart contract system would facilitate real-time patient monitoring and medical interventions while also keeping a secure record of who initiated these activities. Many security concerns connected with remote patient monitoring would be addressed, and notifications would be delivered to all parties involved in a HIPAA-compliant way. I am of the conscience that we should explore decentralizing everything, it keeps malicious attacks at bay, people honest and big business accountable. I would most definitely consider sharing this article with family and friends. I think they are getting tired of my ranting about the current state that the internet is in and how our data is being used both against us and for profit. Not to add any more doom and gloom to everyone’s lives, but it’s important that we as a people begin asking the questions as to whom we can trust with our digital information. We already know data profiles are being built about us and our families by the cookies exercise this week. At what point to we take the power back and give it to ourselves? At what point will I be able to monetize my information? It’s coming and I hope it will be much sooner than any of us anticipate.
Article:
https://blog.knowbe4.com/survey-18-of-health-employees-would-sell-confidential-data
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