In long-term care facilities, protecting patient data isn't just an IT issue—it's a matter of compliance, trust, and patient safety. From electronic health records (EHRs) to medication tracking and insurance billing, long-term care providers handle sensitive data every day. Yet many facilities still rely on outdated systems and minimal cybersecurity protocols, making them a prime target for cyberattacks.
This guide outlines the most pressing cybersecurity challenges facing long-term care providers in Ohio and what steps administrators can take to secure operations and safeguard patient information.
1. Why Long-Term Care Facilities Are Cyber Targets Facilities like nursing homes, assisted living communities, and rehab centers hold:
Protected Health Information (PHI)
Financial and insurance records
Staff credentials and HR data
Resident behavioral and care data
With high staff turnover, older systems, and limited IT resources, many long-term care organizations are vulnerable to:
Ransomware
Phishing scams
Insider threats
Network breaches
2. What’s at Stake When Security Fails The impact of a cyberattack on a care facility goes far beyond inconvenience:
Exposure of HIPAA-protected data
Fines and regulatory penalties
Lost trust from families and patients
Operational disruptions to medication administration, record access, and billing
Potential lawsuits and legal action
3. HIPAA & Compliance Considerations Ohio long-term care providers are subject to federal and state data privacy laws, including:
HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules
HITECH Act (governing breach notifications)
FTC Safeguards Rule (if financial data is handled)
Ohio Data Protection Act (provides affirmative defense for compliance)
Falling short on compliance opens the door to investigations, loss of Medicaid/Medicare reimbursements, and permanent reputational harm.
4. Must-Have Cybersecurity Essentials for Long-Term Care Providers To stay compliant and secure, every long-term care facility should implement:
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for system access
Encrypted EHR and communications between care teams and providers
Regular backups with disaster recovery for patient records and billing systems
Staff cybersecurity awareness training to prevent phishing and social engineering
Endpoint protection and monitoring across devices
Audit logs and access controls to track who views or edits sensitive data
How Securafy Protects Long-Term Care Providers Securafy delivers healthcare-compliant IT and cybersecurity support tailored for long-term care facilities across Ohio. Our services help reduce risk while supporting staff and compliance goals.
We offer:
HIPAA-compliant infrastructure assessments
24/7 system monitoring and threat detection
Secure backups and fast disaster recovery
Staff training modules through our LMS
Email and endpoint protection
Real-time service visibility through our CSA Portal
Whether you’re a single-site nursing home or part of a larger care network, Securafy makes it simple to protect patient data, maintain compliance, and reduce IT stress.
Take the First Step Toward Safer Care Not sure if your systems are compliant or secure? Our team will review your setup, flag gaps, and help you build a plan that keeps patient information safe and accessible.