Access Control
Matt Kjin, segment development manager for healthcare at Axis Communications, suggests creating a hierarchy of access based on the needs of patients and employees. Credentials might consist of a PIN; a biometric method such as a fingerprint scan; or a smart device such as phones, an access method that is gaining popularity, he says.
“With one touch of a button, admins can trigger a lockdown procedure to protect patients and staff,” Stauch says. “Access to restricted areas can also easily be added and removed to scale efficiently.”
Meanwhile, software allows health systems to control access to data from surveillance cameras, which enables hospital systems to manage clearances and minimize risks from unauthorized access, he says.
Baptist Health uses tap-and-go proximity cards with two-factor authentication to secure access. The organization has deployed an identity management system from Imprivata and works closely with its physical plant to give employees access to the right location.
RFID Tags
Radio-frequency ID tags not only help hospitals keep track of equipment but also protect a health system’s bottom line.
“Hospital equipment is expensive, and such investments should be protected from theft or misuse,” Avakian says. “By tagging items, hospitals can quickly know where everything is, which helps reduce losses and can also improve response time during emergencies.”
A key part of Baptist Health’s physical security strategy involves real-time location and RFID technologies to track equipment throughout the hospital. The RFID tags use beacons to ping access points and prevent misplacement of equipment, Miri explains.
READ MORE: Why do physical security and cybersecurity work so well together?
Motion Sensors
Motion sensors help health systems track movement in sensitive areas around a hospital or in areas that have less foot traffic.
“They can be placed anywhere but are great for supply rooms or sensitive places where you wouldn’t expect much activity, especially at certain times,” Avakian says.
Thermal Scanning
Health systems use thermal imaging scanners to monitor temperature in a facility. These scanners can also control access, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, they allowed clinicians to check the temperature of patients and visitors. Such sensors can also be used to protect medication that is sensitive to high temperatures as well as rooms that store important equipment, Avakian says.
