Information Governance

 

Introduction:

The Information Governance course is a comprehensive educational initiative that teaches fundamental principles, policies, and procedures for efficient information administration within organizations. It covers data protection, confidentiality, and adherence to laws and regulations. The course emphasizes the importance of protecting sensitive data, ensuring information integrity, and mitigating risks from unauthorised access or disclosure. It covers data storage and disposal procedures, information security protocols, and technology's role in maintaining a secure information environment. The course also addresses emerging trends and challenges in information governance, such as technological advancements and regulatory changes. The course equips students with the skills to implement best practices, creating a compliant, secure, and efficient organization. 

Data Security

Data security has consistently been a critical concern; nevertheless, in the current era of technology-driven healthcare delivery, its intricacy has grown and the likelihood of errors escalating. Although technology facilitates faster data sharing and higher-quality care, it is our responsibility to safeguard patient information securely.

Handling Information Responsibly

All consumers of our services ought to be able to place trust in the security of their personal and confidential information. It is imperative that individuals place trust in those accountable for their well-being, including those entrusted with the management and improvement of services, that they are making suitable and essential use of this information.One can contribute to the assurance of patient and service user safety and the provision of optimal care by adhering to information management best practices.

Components of Data Security

Security of data can be deconstructed into three components. 

• Confidentiality: It protects privacy and limits information to those who need it. Unauthorised users should be able to access sensitive computer data by turning it on without authorization. Thus, all desktops, laptops, iPads, and Android devices should be password-protected and encrypted when off.
• Integrity: Information integrity involves current and accurate data. Mechanisms must prevent accidental or malicious data changes and corruption during system transitions.
• Availability: Information must be available when needed to aid treatment.Systems must be designed to provide information at the right time and place, even in the face of denial of service attacks, hardware or software failure, water, or fire.

How Information Can be Lost

Respecting legal regulations pertaining to the protection of personal information is critical, as healthcare data is of the utmost value. Poor security can result in reputational, social, and personal harm.

• Information lost or stolen due to inappropriate storage and disposal.
• When users click on false links to bogus websites, they lose information.
• Paper documents lost by phone, computer, or mobile device.

Data Protection Act 2018/UK GDPR

This 2018 Data Protection Act regulates how governments, institutions, and corporations use personal data.
The 2018 Data Protection Act applies GDPR in the UK.
Everyone who handles personal data must follow 'data protection principles'

• To comply with these standards, information must be applied justly, lawfully, and transparently.
• Used to achieve certain goals
• Adequate, relevant, and limited to the bare minimum
• Accurate and current when needed
•  Kept no longer than necessary
• Secured against unauthorised processing, access, loss, destruction, or harm.

The Freedom of Information Act 2000

The provision of information \held by public authorities is made accessible to the public under the Freedom of Information Act of 2000.

This is achieved in two ways:

• It is the responsibility of public authorities to disclose specific information regarding their operations. 
•  The public has the right to request information from public authorities.