Effective desktop software for secure email communication by Psychiatrists,
Psychologists,Nurse Practitioners, Social Workers, and Counselors!
As
practitioners we go to great lengths to start communication with our clients,
and keep it going. Through thick and thin, their defenses, and intense emotions
we keep the lines of communication flowing. It is nonsensical then for us to
limit what we say via email.
Regular
email however is not safe. Regular email is like a postcard that can be read by
anyone at any of the many way stations before it is delivered. Hackers make a
practice of hanging around Internet servers to intercept email.
Didn't
know that? Lots
of people don't. People often put things in emails that they shouldn't.
Last week I got two emails containing the name address, phone number, credit
card number, expiration date, and billing address for two customers. Yipes!
They were really at risk and I told them so!
HIPAA has decreed that emails need to be
considered part of the health information of a client if they contain any
information that is sensitive. You are responsible for protecting it just like
a clinical chart.
I
actually agree with HIPAA here. All emails containing anything other than
superficial things should be encrypted. It is estimated that it takes on
average 4-7 minutes of being on the Internet before someone tries to probe your
computer and get access to it. Email is even worse.
Very
few practitioners encrypt their emails. I believe there are several reasons.
One is that they don't have a good method that isn't a corporate solution. A
second is that most existing methods are complicated, and they
involve many sequential steps. I also think practitioners are avoiding the
situation and hoping somehow they don't have to deal with it.
It
is really much easier than you think.
Take a closer look at this terrific
method – don't wait to communicate with safety!
Read on for more information Click Here