Verizon Business Introduces Data Discovery and Identification Services for Health Care

To make the health care system more competent and lucrative, the digital sharing of patient information with the proper health care organizations is crucial. However there are certain safeguards that essential to defend the confidentiality of the information.  To assist IT administrators to manage this complex task, Verizon Business (News - Alert)introduces the Data Discovery, Identification and Security Classification (DDISC) suite of security consulting services for health care.

Bart Vansevenant who is the director of enterprise solutions development at Verizon Business said, 'By its very nature, the personal health information and related data need to be shared across an entire health care ecosystem in order to deliver effective health care today.  With the customization of our DDISC service for the health care market, we are enabling hospitals, health systems, insurers and their business associates to gain a better understanding of their data so it can be protected and shared with the proper controls in place; otherwise, the consequences can be quite severe.'

Verizon DDISC services add to the growing portfolio of security consulting facilities for health care.  The Verizon Security Management Program-Healthcare allows the health care organizations to practically evaluate the strength of security measures via an easy-to-use online dashboard.   Also, the company offers evaluation, analysis, validation and certification services based on the Common Security Framework which is a set of industry security standards developed by the Health Information Trust Alliance, as well as a telehealth readiness assessment.

Verizon reviews the data for significance and sensitivity to evaluate its importance to the health care organization.  In addition, it helps to find out where information is transmitted and stored. This can be either centrally in a data center or on medical equipment such as computers-on-wheels, radiology devices or telehealth systems.

These services will be available shortly in North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. DDISC discovers, identifies and classifies sensitive personal health information which include physician notes, x-rays, and insurance & payment information. These processes help to determine whether it is being suitably handled, protected and shared electronically. 

Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications, combines their professional expertise with one of the world's most connected IP networks to distribute esteemed communications, IT, information security and network solutions.  

Carolyn John is a Contributor to TMCnet. To read more of her articles, please columnist page.

Edited by Alice Straight