Health care providers are using tablets to work more efficiently. According to a new survey by HIMSS Analytics, mobile devices are becoming more prevalent in the workforce, and this trend is changing the way IT professionals enforce security policies.

Enhancing Care

Featured in InformationWeek, the HIMSS survey found that, of the 170 health care and IT professionals surveyed, nearly 60 percent have already integrated mobile technology solutions in the workplace, and almost 30 percent are planning to address mobility integration soon.

As more physicians and health care providers deliver patient care via their mobile devices, IT professionals must deal with the management and security of those devices. A majority of organizations 95 percent use at least one security tool to protect data. However, that means 5 percent have yet to employ security measures, which leaves sensitive patient information at risk. That risk is in violation of HIPAA regulations and can breach patient trust.

The study further suggests that solutions that balance simple access with government mandates, industry best practices and organizational requirements for securing data will perform best. Something as simple as reducing the complexity of user passwords across different devices and applications can save precious time. That time can amount to up to 20 minutes per day that could be better spent with patients.

Midsize Use

Health care companies often fall into the category of midsize firms as well. On top of stretching time and resources, the IT professionals at these organizations also have to consider various regulations and government policies that must be strictly followed. Tablets and other mobile devices are finding their place within various industries to help workers become more productive. Securing them is the new challenge in the face of growing cyber crime threats. Health care organizations and midsize firms alike are constantly seeking the latest IT solutions to help them innovate and save money.

To reach their productivity and business goals, midsize firms turn to experienced vendors to help them ensure that they are implementing the right software and hardware to connect the mobile workplace. Security and policy are intertwined; smaller firms have neither the time nor the budget to commit errors when implementing a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) security plan. Even one small error in implementation might lead to a data breach that could cost a firm more money than it would to have invested in the proper tools and counsel in the first place.

Experienced vendors have a grasp on the new solutions in the market that are best suited to a growing firm. Mobile device management, encryption, cloud computing and big data analytics are a few game-changing technologies that can be implemented to securely optimize the new mobile workforce.

This post was written as part of the IBM for Midsize Business program, which provides midsize businesses with the tools, expertise and solutions they need to become engines of a smarter planet. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.

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Health Care Providers: The New Mobile Workforce