HEALTH professionals are being urged to adopt "good password practices" to combat the threat of cyber attacks.
Marking International Computer Security Day, Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) CEO, Amanda Cattermole, called on pharmacists and other health providers to use "strong, memorable and unique" passwords to protect personal and patient data from the threat of malicious actors.
"Developing and using good passwords is a contemporary life skill everyone can adopt to protect themselves at home and at work," she said.
"Having weak passwords is comparable to leaving your front door open when you leave home or leaving your car unlocked.
"It's an invitation to unauthorised access and cyber compromise.
"If you suspect someone knows your password, choose a new password immediately to reduce the likelihood of unauthorised access to information."
The ADHA has warned health workers not to share passwords, noting they could be held responsible if sensitive information is disclosed as a result, and to use a unique password for each account to prevent a "domino effect".
The agency also advised health professionals to use a password manager with a "very strong master password" to boost cyber security.
Cattermole reported that 81% of confirmed data breaches involved weak, default or stolen passwords.
Figures from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner for the first six months of 2020 showed the health sector accounted for 22% of all reported data breaches (PD 04 Aug).
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