You have been assigned to investigate whether or not an emp…

You have been assigned to investigate whether or not an employee at a local hospital has been accessing patient records and setting information to online pharmacies. It is your first day of the investigation. Put together a list of data sources that must be examined during the investigation.

Answer

Title: Identifying Data Sources for Investigating Unauthorized Access to Patient Records

Introduction:
In the present era of technology and digitization, protecting sensitive information, especially in the healthcare sector, is of paramount importance. Unauthorized access or the leakage of patient records not only violates the privacy and confidentiality of individuals but also poses significant legal and ethical implications for healthcare organizations. This assignment aims to identify and discuss the crucial data sources that must be examined while investigating allegations of an employee accessing patient records and setting information to online pharmacies at a local hospital.

To conduct a comprehensive investigation, it is essential to consider various data sources that may provide valuable digital footprints or evidence of unauthorized activities. The following list presents key data sources that should be examined during the investigation:

1. Electronic Health Record (EHR) System:
The EHR system is the primary repository of patient information within the healthcare organization. Examining the employee’s activity logs, login/logout records, and access privileges within the EHR system can help detect any unusual or unauthorized activities.

2. Network Traffic and Logs:
The network infrastructure within the hospital, including firewalls, routers, and intrusion detection systems, generates logs that record network traffic. Analyzing these logs can provide insights into the employee’s network activity, including accessing external websites, online pharmacies, or suspicious IP addresses.

3. User Activity Logs:
User activity logs, such as keystrokes, screen captures, or user session recordings, can provide a detailed account of the employee’s activities on their workstation. These logs may reveal instances of unauthorized access to patient records or online pharmacy activities.

4. Email and Communication Records:
Examining the employee’s emails and communication records can shed light on potential collaboration or communication with external parties, including online pharmacies or individuals involved in illegal activities.

5. System and Application Logs:
Investigating system and application logs can help identify any abnormal activities or attempts to tamper with the hospital’s IT infrastructure. Such logs may include events, errors, and configuration changes that can provide leads in tracing unauthorized access.

6. Security and Access Logs:
Security logs, including access control lists, privilege changes, and failed login attempts, play a vital role in identifying any access violations or unusual behavior by the employee.

7. Physical Access Records:
Access control systems, surveillance cameras, and entry/exit logs can provide evidence of the employee’s physical presence in restricted areas, such as server rooms or record storage areas, where unauthorized access may have occurred.

8. Workstation and Mobile Device Logs:
Investigation of the employee’s workstation and mobile device logs can reveal activities, downloads, or application usage that may support the hypothesis of unauthorized access and information sharing.

9. Forensic Analysis of Digital Devices:
If warranted, forensic analysis of the employee’s personal devices, such as computers, laptops, tablets, or smartphones, can uncover evidence of unauthorized access, data transfers, or connections to online pharmacies.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, investigating allegations of unauthorized access to patient records and data leakage requires a meticulous examination of various data sources. By thoroughly analyzing the EHR system, network traffic and logs, user activity logs, email and communication records, system and application logs, security and access logs, physical access records, workstation and mobile device logs, and conducting forensic analysis, investigators can gather valuable evidence to support or refute the allegations. This multi-faceted approach ensures a comprehensive investigation and helps protect patient privacy while maintaining integrity within the healthcare organization.