Text messaging has given birth to multiple instant messaging apps since its invention in 1992. It made communication easy and efficient more so now that other forms of media and files can also be sent and received via these apps.

These instant messaging apps use cloud computing services—a digital conversion method which enable data, programs, and files to be stored in one place—the internet. Okay, so the question now is: the internet? Anyone can access the internet, does that mean my data is out in public?

The answer is yes and no—while there are some instant messaging apps that use end-to-end encryption to secure your data, there are others that don’t. End-to-end encryption is a safety feature to ensure users that each and every conversation they have are only accessible between them and their specific contacts. One of the instant messaging apps that have this feature is WhatsApp; your chats are end-to-end encrypted meaning the only ones who can read your chats are you and the person you’re communicating with and no one else—not even WhatsApp.

Information technology in health care

Similar concepts are applied to and adapted by health care organizations as well. Majority of the health care providers utilize cloud computing to equip their databases and programs, which allow them to be more organized and carry out their tasks seamlessly.

Activities such as patient appointment reminders and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliant texting take place in the form of instant messaging where providers and patients can exchange messages and media for easier communication. Through cloud computing, electronic medical and health records as well as the messages sent between parties are kept secure and private.

Some of the most common and trusted cloud computing services in the market are Microsoft Azure, Oracle Cloud platform, and IBM Cloud Computing. Microsoft Azure is Providertech’s cloud computing service that allows them to launch CareX to provide HIPAA secure texting and appointment reminders to its patients. It is equipped with a multi-layer security system and data encryption to prevent mismanagement and loss of files in the case of a data breach.

Added safety

Aside from encryption, other methods such as using virtual private networks and multi-factor authentication are also part of the efforts and trends in maintaining the security of cloud-based data and software.

In 2019 alone, statistics showed that 1,473 breaches were recorded with more than 164.68 million sensitive information obtained and exposed. In the health care sector, data breaches progressed at a rate of 1.4 per day in 2019, while 230,954,151 records were exposed, stolen, and obtained from data breaches in a span of four years since 2015.

This alarming number of cyber attacks should be enough reason to keep your guards up and learn more about various programs and methods that will help you secure your personal and professional data. It is also helpful to understand rules and regulations corresponding to safety.