Information and Cyber Security

The Information Security Guide for small healthcare businesses has been developed by the Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) and the Australian Government's Stay Smart Online service to assist general practice to safely store confidential patient and other information.The security of patient information is paramount to providing high quality and safe healthcare.

The RACGP has developed Information Security in General Practice to assist practices to meet their legal obligations for information security and the necessary requirements for the accreditation Standards for General Practices (5^th edition).

Cyber security awareness

All providers and staff working at a healthcare organisation have an important role in protecting sensitive information from cyber threats. Watch our latest recorded webinar on how to build cyber awareness and adopt positive cyber behaviours in your healthcare organisation.  There are also a range of resources available from the Australian Digital Health Agency to support healthcare providers including the eLearning courses below.

Cyber security eLearning courses:

• Digital Health Security Awareness eLearning course
• Using online conferencing and telehealth technologies securely
• Cyber security considerations when working remotely or working from home

Using email in general practice

General practices must ensure their communication of health information is safe and secure. The use of unencrypted and unsecured email can create risks to the privacy and security of personal and sensitive health information.

The RACGP has developed the fact sheet Using Email in General Practice to provide information for general practices about using email to communicate health information with patients, health organisations, and third parties, and to support practices to make an informed decision on whether to use email at their practice.