Ensuring Safety and Security in Digital Signage for Hospitals

Ensuring the privacy of your digital signage is crucial in today's increasingly connected world. While selecting hardware and software that meet stringent security standards is a critical first step, it’s important to recognize that not all systems offer the same level of protection. 

Some vendors provide customizable solutions, allowing you to enhance security measures to suit your specific business needs. Regardless of the technology you choose, following fundamental best practices is essential to safeguarding your digital signage network against potential threats.

This is especially true for dynamic environments like healthcare settings. With the increasing use of digital signage in healthcare, we need to ensure privacy and security in these sensitive environments are taken care of. We discuss how to do this below.

Managing Risks in Digital Signage for Hospitals: Software and Hardware 

While different vendors offer difficult security levels and features in digital signage, adherence to fundamental best practices remains essential in safeguarding your digital signage network against potential threats.

Software Security Best Practices 

1. Robust anti-malware software: Implementing reliable anti-malware software is crucial for protecting your digital signage system from a variety of threats, such as viruses, trojans, and other malicious software. This software swiftly detects and neutralizes malware attacks, ensuring the system remains secure and operational.

1. Regular software updates: Ensure you conduct regular updates, patch known vulnerabilities, and add new security features. Neglecting updates can expose your system to attacks, as cybercriminals often target outdated software.

1. Two-factor authentication (2FA): Enhance security by requiring two forms of identification before granting access to digital signage media players. This could involve a combination of something the user knows (password) and something the user has (a mobile device). 2FA significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access even if passwords are compromised.
2. Vet Your Provider: Thoroughly vetting your digital signage provider is essential to ensure they prioritize security in their products and services. Assess their track record, certifications, and commitment to security best practices. Choose a provider that offers robust security features, regular updates, and responsive support to address any security concerns promptly.
3. Firewalls: Think of firewalls as security bouncers who prevent unwanted guests from entering. These act as the first line of defense, filtering incoming and outgoing traffic based on predetermined security rules. They block unauthorized access and protect the digital signage system from external threats.
4. Encryption protocols: Encryption protocols, like SSL or TLS, act as secret codes for the data, keeping it safe as it moves between the signage player and the content management system.

Hardware Security Best Practices 

• When using digital signage for hospitals, damage to hardware, theft and unwarranted tampering are not unheard of. Therefore, it’s essential to take appropriate measures. Here are a few best practices:

  1. Restricting Access to Control Systems: Physical access to digital signage control systems should be limited to authorized personnel only. This can be achieved by placing control units in secure, locked enclosures and using access control mechanisms such as key cards or biometric scanners. Additionally, restricting access to alarms and other safety mechanisms ensures that only trained staff can interact with critical systems.
  2. Installation of Touch-Detecting Sensors: Touch-detecting sensors can be installed on or around digital signage hardware to alert security personnel of any unauthorized interactions. These sensors can trigger alarms or send notifications to security teams, allowing for a quick response to potential tampering or damage.
  3. Installing Security Cameras: Placing security cameras near digital signage installations can deter potential vandals and thieves. Recorded footage can also be used to investigate incidents and improve security measures. 

Plan B: Data backup and recovery

In any digital signage deployment, including those within healthcare environments, having a comprehensive data backup and recovery plan is crucial. Despite robust security measures, unforeseen events such as hardware failures, software glitches, or cyberattacks can still occur. In such instances, having a Plan B ensures that critical data remains accessible and operational continuity is maintained.

1. Regular Backup Schedule: Establish a regular schedule for backing up digital signage data, including content, configurations, and system settings. This ensures that recent and relevant information is always available for recovery in case of data loss or system failure.
2. Testing and Validation: Regularly test backup and recovery procedures to verify their effectiveness and reliability. Adjust and refine the backup plan based on testing results to ensure optimal performance during actual recovery situations.
3. Documentation Thoroughly: Maintain up-to-date documentation that is easily accessible to relevant stakeholders. This includes procedures, schedules, and contact information for key personnel involved in the process. 
4. Emergency Response Plan: Develop a comprehensive emergency response plan that outlines procedures for data loss or system failure scenarios. Establish communication channels and escalation procedures to ensure a swift and coordinated response to emergency situations.

How L Squared ensures safety and compliance

At L Squared, data security is crucial — it’s at the core of our operations. That's why we strive to ensure safety and compliance in everything we do. We implement rigorous security measures, including encryption protocols and access controls, to safeguard data and protect against threats.

Some of our security badges include SOC 2 certification, ISO 27001:2022, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). We’re committed to safety and security, and we mean it!

Want to get started with L Squared? Contact us now.