Tip #4 – Ensure you have a startup password and inactivity timeout on your smartphone

Smartphones such as iPhone, Android, Windows Phone and BlackBerry may contain patient information. More and more smartphones are used to access EMRs, imaging systems, etc. In addition, more and more patient information is contained in emails between physicians, physician assistants, billing departments, etc. Smartphones are easily lost or stolen and represent a risk to the patient information that they may contain. So what can be done to protect the information in the event that a smartphone is lost or stolen?
Smartphone Safeguards

There are many safeguards you can put in place to reduce the risk of data breaches caused by smartphones. Here are 3 safeguards that will go a long way to minimize the impact if your phone is lost or stolen.

1. Minimize the amount of patient data that is sent via email
2. Protect your smartphone by ensuring that a start-up password and inactivity timeout has been implemented
3. Implement data encryption on your smartphone

You can reduce the impact of a lost smartphone by minimizing the amount of patient data that is on the phone. By implementing a start-up password, inactivity timeout and utilizing data encryption, you can reduce the likelihood that patient information is compromised if the phone is lost or stolen.