Mastering Data Security Roles in Health Informatics 2024

Data Security Roles in Health Informatics

Table of Contents

The healthcare industry is the largest producer of data in the world. This also means it’s a major target for security breaches, cyberattacks, and other malicious actions against healthcare data integrity. Professionals in healthcare data security fill a critical role in protecting data across healthcare settings.

Healthcare Data Security Specialist

Healthcare data security specialists work to protect patient data while maintaining compliance with state and federal regulations. Individuals in this position protect patient and clinical data and healthcare providers’ computers and networks. Those in this position should possess strong IT skills, problem-solving skills, and an understanding of health information regulations.

Educational Paths

An IT-related bachelor’s degree specializing in security is preferred for this position. Examples of educational career paths include computer science, information technology, database administration, and network security.

Salary Range

The salary range depends on the education level, experience, and location. Those entering the field can expect starting salaries of $66,986 per year. [1] However, the average salary for those with more experience in healthcare cybersecurity hovers around $132,000 per year. [2]

Career Opportunities

Healthcare data security specialists are employed in various settings, including hospitals, doctor’s offices, large medical facilities, and governmental agencies.

Health Information Privacy Officer

Health information privacy officers are important, both for health practices and organizations and also for patients. They are the ones who ensure that patient health data and personal patient information are handled in complete compliance with privacy laws and regulations, such as HIPAA. This may involve developing a privacy program or improving one already in place. [3]

A few key responsibilities of health information privacy officers include:

Training employees and managers on enforcement policies and procedures
Enforcing current regulations and developing effective privacy programs
Monitoring and auditing for the protection of patient data
Identify breaches and respond promptly with appropriate actions

Educational Path

Most employers seek candidates with at least a bachelor’s degree level of education, preferably in a health-related field, such as healthcare administration, medical coding, or a similar degree. Knowledge of HIPAA regulations and any other applicable privacy laws is a must. Some employers prefer job candidates with a law degree, but this tends to be the minority.

Salary Range

The average salary for a HIPPA privacy officer in the United States is $53 per hour or $111,007 per year. According to ZipRecruiter, salaries of $92,000 are in the 25^th percentile, meaning that seventy-five percent of those employed with this title earn more than that. [4] This salary may vary depending on the employer, exact title, and location.

Career Opportunities

There appears to be a great opportunity in this field as we advance. Depending on the source, expected growth goes up to thirty-three percent by 2032. [5] As healthcare data and its application expand, privacy officers will be key in keeping this information safe.

Cybersecurity Analyst in Healthcare

Cybersecurity analysts help to protect healthcare systems from the threat of cyber-attacks and other cyber vulnerabilities. In this role, your primary responsibilities would be to analyze security systems and any additional security codes to ensure that all electronic forms of data and patient information are protected from cyberattacks and any unauthorized access or use.

Educational Path

Most employers are looking for career candidates who hold at least a bachelor’s degree in an area such as computer science, cybersecurity, or another related field. Some employers may be willing to accept five years or more of hands-on experience in cybersecurity in place of a bachelor’s degree. Certifications, such as the HealthCare Information Security and Privacy Practitioner (HCISPP), may also be useful in catching the attention of employers.

Salary Range

The average salary for a cybersecurity analyst in the United States ranges from $79,500 to $115,000 annually, with an average of $99,400. [6] This is a significant range and can be influenced by factors such as the size of the organization or company, the full scope of the position, experience, education, and location.

Career Opportunities

Cybersecurity analysts can be employed in a variety of healthcare settings. Any company or organization that handles patient data and information can benefit from cybersecurity analysts’ skills. This includes smaller healthcare operations, up to major healthcare organizations.

An interesting article in Forbes mentioned that the position of information security analyst, in general, is expected to grow by nearly thirty-five percent by 2031. [7] It’s safe to assume that positions in the healthcare space are a significant part of this growth.

Health IT Compliance Officer

Health IT compliance plays a critical role in ensuring that all health IT systems adhere to regulatory requirements, security protocols, and internal policies that may be in place. A person in this role is responsible for monitoring compliance and may also be asked to implement or help develop effective compliance programs as laws and regulations shift over time. They also play a key role in workplace education.

Educational Path

A bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration is a common path to this role, but employers may appreciate a degree in any area of healthcare tech. A few advanced positions may require a master’s degree or more extensive experience in the field. Earning certifications, including Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP) and becoming a Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP), can make you more attractive to potential employers.

Salary Range

The average salary range for this position is a little over $98,000 per year; however, this is higher than what many employers pay, especially for entry-level positions. This reported average salary reflects about eight percent of healthcare compliance officers earning more than $150,000 annually, while most tend to earn in the $70,000 range. [8]

Career Opportunities

Compared to other healthcare data security areas, compliance officers’ growth isn’t as high as other positions, but growth is still expected. In the future, those with experience and certifications will be in the highest demand.

Health Data Quality Manager

The management of healthcare data extends beyond collecting, analyzing, and storing. Throughout the entire data lifecycle, the accuracy and integrity of health data remain a key focus. This is essential for patient care and overall data security. Health data quality managers develop, implement, and enforce data standards.

Educational Path

In almost all positions, a bachelor’s degree is required. Still, a master’s degree with proven experience in data quality analysis and familiarity with EMR systems is often preferred. This position typically requires a level of comfort with leadership and management, which is something to keep in mind if you’re an introvert.

Salary Range

As a health data quality manager, the average salary in the United States is $97,145 annually. This average largely depends on geographical area and the organization’s size. [9]

Career Opportunities

With expected job growth that exceeds the average in the coming decade, those entering the field as health data quality managers can expect to work in various environments and are often employed by larger healthcare organizations. [10] Opportunities exist in both small and large organizations in healthcare.

Risk Management Specialists in Healthcare IT

Risk management specialists are healthcare IT professionals with a keen eye for potential risks to data information systems, and they work to identify, analyze, and mitigate any threat concerning health informatics. This can include the risk of data breaches and data system failures. In other settings, this position is highly focused on protecting financial assets, but in healthcare, the focus also includes protecting highly sensitive medical data.

Educational Path

Most positions require a bachelor’s degree or higher, which can be in healthcare management or business management, with a strong healthcare industry knowledge.

Salary Range

Specialists in risk management earn an average of $111,556 per year, but this is highly dependent on the size of the organization, the scope of responsibilities, and the education and experience that is brought into the role. [11]

Career Opportunities

While all levels and sizes of healthcare operations can benefit from employing an IT risk management professional, these positions are largely found in large healthcare organization settings. Those who live or work in larger cities and metropolitan areas may find more career options.

Conclusion

There’s no question that healthcare data security offers some of the fastest-growing career focus areas in health informatics. The opportunities in this field are great for those with a keen eye and a strong analytical mind, partnered with a knowledge of data security systems.