Developing Effective Cell Phone Use Policy in Healthcare Organizations
Question
Task: How can healthcare organizations develop effective Cell Phone Use Policy in Healthcare to enhance data security and staff efficiency?
Answer
Introduction
Cell phone use policies are increasingly being implemented by organization across the globe as the need for staff efficiency and data security increase. For organizations to improve operational security development of effective Cell Phone Use Policy in Healthcare is vital but certain factors must be taken into consideration and closely evaluated before the terms, conditions, and guidelines are finalized. While some companies opt to ban mobile phone usage at the business premises altogether, others depend on mobile divide for their operations thus such businesses must develop a unique Cell Phone Use Policy in Healthcare to be utilized at the organisation.
Current Business and Other Cell Phone Use Policy in Healthcare Examples
Company ABC offers health care services and has recently merged with another company offering remote medical services. Both businesses depend heavily on cell phones which are used by the staff to communicate. This makes it important for Company ABC to maintain control over how the cell phones are used as well as how data is accessed and saved on the devices to prevent serious security and data breaches (Lee, 2015, p. 163). To develop an effective Cell Phone Use Policy in Healthcare one must be able to review other company cell phone policies which would help identify important approaches that can be used to develop company ABC Cell Phone Use Policy in Healthcare. The following company policies have been reviewed to determine and important points considered for implementation in to Company ABC’s own cell phone policy.
• Cisco - Bring Your Own Device Policy (BYOD Policy)
• Nottingham Trent University - BYOD Policy
• MaaS 360 Mobile Device Management Policy (MDM policy)
Each of the above businesses shares a similar need to use cell phones for smooth business operations but each has developed a policy that addresses how the cell phones are utilized and what they can access. Some important Cell Phone Use Policy in Healthcare terms that can be used to refine Company ABC own Cell Phone Use Policy in Healthcare will be mentioned below:
Use of Mobile Device Management Software
Installation of MDM software allows the mobile user to access a specified number of features and functions on the cell phone while at the office (Pierer, 2016). The MDM software can be configured and customized to fit the businesses policy terms and accessibility needs. MDM software can be utilized by companies who support a BYOD policy.
Allow Only MDM Enabled Cell Phones at the Workplace
Company ABC depends heavily on cell phones for its staff’s communication but some employees are not willing to have MDM software installed on their personal cell phone devices. In this situation Company ABC must provide MDM enabled cell phones to its staff and in turn ban personal cell phones from entering the business premises or being used while on field duty. This will allow Company ABC’s staff members utilize authorized cell phone services, software, and applications but they will remain under constant monitoring by company ABC’s IT and Security Department (Winkler & Gomes, 2016, p. 126).
Business Challenges That Would Be Overcome
Developing an effective Cell Phone Use Policy in Healthcare by combining relevant BYOD terms and conditions and the use of MDM software will help Company ABC overcome two main challenges as described below.
Enhance Data Security
The main challenge the Cell Phone Use Policy in Healthcare will help overcome is prevent or avoid data security breaches which have become a common concern among business today (Patel1, 2014). Most cell phones come with powerful features such as camera, high speed Internet, voice recording and large internal storage memories which can be used to pirate data.
Improved Staff Efficiency
Cell phones also come with a wide verity of communication medium and entertainment tools and applications which can be highly distractive and could also result in serious accidents happening at the healthcare facility. Limiting access to the application and features during official duty hours or on official cell phones will help eliminate misuse (Patel2, 2014, p. 87). In turn it will help improve efficiency and reduce the risk of accidents occurring at the workplace.
Conclusion
Company ABC is a health care provider and the business must utilize cell phones to ensure smooth operations and coordination among the business staff and personnel. The Cell Phone Use Policy in Healthcare, therefore, cannot eliminate the use of cell phones at the healthcare facility but put in place effective measures that can maximize security and data safety. Implementing effective MYOD T&C and using MDM software will help reduce cell phone misuse and maximize staff efficiency during working hours. Therefore the Cell Phone Use Policy in Healthcare cannot entirely banned or restricted at Company ABC but effective controls can be put in place to maintain security and improve staff performance.
References:
Lee, A. (2015). Essential Safety Policies. Old Saybrook: Business & Legal Reports, Inc.
Patel1, R. (2014). Enterprise Mobility Strategy & Solutions. Gurgaon: Partridge Publishing.
Patel2, R. (2014). Enterprise Mobility Strategy & Solutions. Gurgoan: PartridgeIndia.
Pierer, M. (2016). Mobile Device Management: Mobility Evaluation in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. Vienna: Springer.
Winkler, I., & Gomes, A. (2016). Advanced Persistent Security: A Cyberwarfare Approach to Implementing Adaptive Enterprise Protection, Detection, and Reaction Strategies. Cambridge: Syngress. Cell Phone Use Policy in Healthcare
