Due Week 10 and worth 150 pointsSuppose you are the IT profe…
Due Week 10 and worth 150 points Suppose you are the IT professional in charge of security for a small pharmacy that has recently opened within a shopping mall. The daily operation of a pharmacy is a unique business that requires a combination of both physical and logical access controls geared towards protecting medication and funds located on the premises, as well as the personally identifiable information and protected health information of your customers that resides on your system. Your supervisor has tasked you with identifying inherent risks associated with your pharmacy and establishing strong physical and logical access control methods to mitigate the identified risks. Write an eight to ten (8-10) page paper in which you: Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:
The pharmacy industry is an essential component of the healthcare system, as it serves as a crucial link between healthcare providers and patients. Within this context, the security of a pharmacy is of utmost importance to ensure the protection of medication, funds, and sensitive personal and health information. As the IT professional in charge of security, it is essential to identify and mitigate inherent risks through the implementation of strong physical and logical access control methods.
One of the inherent risks in a pharmacy is the potential for unauthorized access to medication and funds. Medications, especially controlled substances, are valuable and can be a target for theft. In addition, pharmacies handle cash transactions, making them susceptible to robberies or internal fraud. Therefore, it is crucial to establish physical access controls to safeguard these assets. This can include measures such as secure storage cabinets, surveillance cameras, alarm systems, and restricted access to areas where medication and funds are stored.
Another inherent risk is the potential for unauthorized access to the personally identifiable information (PII) and protected health information (PHI) of customers that resides within the pharmacy’s system. This information is highly valuable and can be exploited for identity theft, fraud, or other malicious purposes. To mitigate this risk, strong logical access controls must be implemented. This involves implementing authentication methods such as passwords, biometrics, or smart cards, as well as encryption techniques to protect data in transit and at rest.
Furthermore, it is essential to establish a comprehensive security policy that outlines the responsibilities and guidelines for both physical and logical access controls. This policy should be communicated to all employees and enforced consistently. It should also address procedures for granting and revoking access privileges, periodic access reviews, and incident response procedures in case of a security breach. Additionally, regular employee training on security awareness and best practices should be conducted to ensure ongoing compliance with the established security measures.
In conclusion, the security of a pharmacy is a critical aspect of its daily operations. By identifying inherent risks and implementing strong physical and logical access control methods, the pharmacy can effectively protect medication, funds, and customer information. The establishment of a comprehensive security policy and regular employee training further enhance the overall security posture. Through these measures, the pharmacy can maintain the trust and confidence of its customers while ensuring compliance with applicable privacy and data protection regulations.