Event Logging, Auditing, and Monitoring Tools.edited
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Event Logging, Auditing, and Monitoring Tools
Event Logging, Auditing, and Monitoring Tools
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EVENT LOGGING, AUDITING, AND MONITORING TOOLS AT MERCY HOSPITAL
Events Captured by Operating System Logs
Operating system logs are crucial in monitoring and securing IT environments, including
healthcare settings. In Mercy Hospital's security measures, these logs play a vital role in
recording various events for analysis and compliance. Operating system logs are fundamental
records documenting activities within a system, providing essential insights into its functioning
(Krishnamoorthy et al., 2023).
In the healthcare environment, operating system logs can capture events ranging from
user logins and access attempts to changes in system configurations and application usage.
Events such as unauthorized access attempts, modifications to patient records, and system
resource utilization are particularly relevant in healthcare settings where patient confidentiality
and data integrity are paramount.
Capturing critical events is essential for maintaining security and compliance with
regulatory standards. Compliance with regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act (HIPAA) is imperative in the healthcare sector. Operating system logs aid in
tracking user interactions with patient data, helping organizations demonstrate adherence to
privacy and security requirements (Yesmin & Carter, 2020). Moreover, identifying and
investigating security incidents promptly is crucial for mitigating risks associated with data
breaches or unauthorized access.
Monitoring Activities of Logged-On Users
Effective monitoring of activities by logged-on users is paramount in healthcare to ensure
the agility required for critical patient care and the maintenance of robust security controls.
Monitoring plays a crucial role in identifying and preventing potential security threats, as
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highlighted by the importance of this practice in the context of Mercy Hospital's evolving
security strategy.
Monitoring user activities is essential for security as it provides insights into user
behavior, helping to detect anomalies or suspicious actions that may indicate a security breach.
Evaluating user interactions through monitoring is a proactive approach to identifying potential
risks and vulnerabilities (Yesmin & Carter, 2020). Unauthorized access attempts, unusual login
patterns, or abnormal user data access can indicate security incidents that need immediate
attention.
Several methods and tools can be employed to monitor user activities effectively.
Implementing user activity monitoring software allows for real-time tracking of user actions,
enabling prompt detection of deviations from established norms. Additionally, intrusion detection
systems (IDS) and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems can enhance
the ability to comprehensively monitor and analyze user activities.
Balancing the need for nimbleness in responding to critically ill patients with maintaining
security controls is a delicate challenge. Implementing user activity monitoring should be
designed to minimize disruptions to healthcare workflows. Leveraging emerging technologies
can streamline monitoring processes, ensuring healthcare professionals respond swiftly to critical
situations without compromising security measures (Krishnamoorthy et al., 2023).
Role of Monitoring in Maintaining a Security Baseline
A security baseline is fundamental in healthcare cybersecurity, representing the
foundational security measures necessary to safeguard patient data and ensure compliance with
industry regulations. The application of monitoring plays a crucial role in establishing and
continuously maintaining this security baseline at Mercy Hospital.
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A security baseline in healthcare settings refers to the minimum set of security controls
and practices that organizations must implement to protect sensitive patient information and
maintain the integrity of their systems. This is particularly crucial due to the nature of healthcare
data, which includes personal and susceptible medical information. Without a well-defined
security baseline, the risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and privacy violations
significantly increases.
Monitoring contributes to establishing and maintaining a security baseline by providing
real-time insights into system activities and user behaviors. Continuous monitoring allows
organizations to detect deviations from the established baseline, enabling timely responses to
potential security incidents (Krishnamoorthy et al., 2023). Monitoring can identify patterns
indicative of security threats, such as unusual login attempts or unauthorized access to patient
records, helping to maintain the integrity of the security baseline.
The absence of a robust monitoring system poses significant risks and consequences in
healthcare environments. With continuous monitoring, it becomes easier to detect and respond
promptly to security incidents. The potential consequences of inadequate monitoring include
delayed data breach detection and compromised patient privacy (Yesmin & Carter, 2020).
Moreover, the lack of visibility into system activities may lead to regulatory non-compliance,
exposing the organization to legal and financial repercussions.
Application of Audit and Logging Tools
The application of audit and logging tools is a critical component of the comprehensive
event logging, monitoring, and auditing program at Mercy Hospital. These tools are essential for
ensuring the security of patient data and maintaining regulatory compliance.
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Operating system audit and logging tools are software solutions designed to record and
monitor activities within an information system. These tools capture events, create detailed logs,
and enable organizations to analyze and audit system activities. Examples of such tools include
built-in features in operating systems, specialized audit tools, and security information and event
management (SIEM) systems.
In Mercy Hospital, these tools can be applied to meet the objectives of the auditing
program by providing a comprehensive view of system activities. Audit logs can capture user
logins, access attempts, and changes to patient records. Regularly reviewing these logs allows the
hospital's information security team to identify potential security incidents, monitor compliance
with privacy regulations, and demonstrate due diligence in safeguarding patient data. The
findings from these audits can inform continuous improvements to security measures.
Customization and configuration of audit and logging tools are also crucial to align them
with the healthcare environment's specific security requirements and concerns. Mercy Hospital
should configure these tools to focus on healthcare-specific events, such as access to electronic
health records and changes to medical orders (Yesmin & Carter, 2020). Additionally, alert
thresholds should be set to notify the security team promptly in case of unusual or suspicious
activities.
REFERENCES
Krishnamoorthy, S., Dua, A., & Gupta, S. (2023). Role of emerging technologies in future IoT-
driven Healthcare 4.0 technologies: A survey, current challenges, and future directions.
Journal of Ambient Intelligence and Humanized Computing, 14(1), 361–407.
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Yesmin, T., & Carter, M. W. (2020). Evaluation framework for automatic privacy auditing tools
for hospital data breach detections: A case study. International journal of medical
informatics, 138, 104123.
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