Healthcare IT evolving, but security loopholes still cause problems

Properly securing healthcare IT has proven to be a difficult task, though ever critical while malware plagues networks across the world.

Due to the potential for healthcare and insurance fraud, compromised medical records can be worth up to $50 per record - a major value increase from the $2 to $28+ per record without additional personal information.

Healthcare providers are integrating technologies throughout hospitals, which can create security vulnerabilities as devices like tablets, for example, are now being used. In addition, many healthcare providers now provide online services, including scheduling appointments, asking for prescription refills, and communicating with doctors - but also provides another security issue for healthcare IT experts.

However, there is a shortage of skilled IT workers able to help healthcare makers, with health informatics jobs expected to increase by as much as 37 percent.