12146
Blog
Yuval Segev

5 Questions To Ask Your Prospective AI Partner About Access Monitoring

Adoption, C-Suite, Data Management, Information Technology, System Integration
Table of Contents

This post expands on a piece of our resource, “5 Essential Areas of Alignment for Governing Clinical AI Partnerships.” This resource offers foundational questions to assess an AI developer’s capabilities and commitment to responsible AI practices in five areas that demonstrate how effectively an organization’s information will be managed. Click here to download the full resource. 

What Is Access Monitoring And Why Does It Matter?

Access monitoring refers to the oversight and regulation of who can access a system, how they access it and what they are authorized to see and do. A reliable AI partner prioritizes robust user authentication processes and access controls to protect patient data and support compliance with privacy regulations. Effective access monitoring also helps prevent potential breaches, assists in internal investigations and strengthens the security framework of any healthcare organization. Without robust access monitoring, even seemingly low-risk users may inadvertently gain access to sensitive data, significantly raising the likelihood of data breaches.

Why Is Access Monitoring Essential To AI Governance?

Access monitoring plays a pivotal role in safeguarding patient privacy. By actively tracking user access, healthcare facilities can identify suspicious activity, ensure HIPAA compliance and other federal regulations and maintain the highest standards of data security. A solid access monitoring strategy provides early detection of unauthorized access attempts and supports regulatory requirements while protecting sensitive patient information. Without role-based access, even low-privilege users may access sensitive data, potentially leading to unintentional breaches.

When evaluating an AI partner, here are five critical questions to ask about their approach to access monitoring: 

1. How are users added, modified and removed from the system?

Effective user management is crucial for access monitoring. Ask partners how they handle user lifecycle, including adding, modifying and removing access. They should demonstrate a seamless process that prevents delays, ensuring only authorized personnel access the system.Think of user lifecycle management as keeping a security pass list updated–only authorized users are granted access, and access is promptly removed when no longer needed.

For example, Aidoc allows the client to integrate their own IDP (e.g., Active Directory) for seamless user setup, preventing unauthorized access.

2. Are there role-based access controls in place?

Role-based access controls (RBAC) limit users to data and tools necessary for their roles, reducing unauthorized access risks. Ask partners how they segment access by job function and ensure role-specific permissions to minimize security vulnerabilities.

3. How quickly can a new user be granted access?

Quick access for new users impacts operational efficiency, particularly in the fast-paced world of healthcare. Ask partners how swiftly they onboard users while maintaining security. Ideally, they’ll offer automated processes to streamline approvals without delay, showing flexibility and responsiveness.

4. How often are inactive user accounts identified and managed?

Inactive user accounts pose security risks as entry points for unauthorized access. Ensure your AI partner has policies for managing these accounts, such as automatic deactivation after a set period or regular audits to confirm all users are active and authorized.

Did you know? Inactive user accounts are often a target in cyber-attacks, highlighting the importance of regular account audits.

5. Can you provide a real-time, or on-demand, list of users with access to specific systems or data?

Real-time access tracking is vital for rapid response, allowing instant insight into who accessed what data and when. This is critical for compliance and incident management. Your AI partner should enable on-demand user access lists for audits, compliance and security, helping your organization quickly address concerns and prevent unauthorized access. Ensure your AI partner has adaptive MFA and device binding measures. These prevent unauthorized logins from new devices, even if credentials are compromised.

Did you know? Nearly 75% of cyber breaches involve stolen credentials. Adaptive MFA can help prevent unauthorized access, even with compromised credentials.

Gatekeeping Your Clinical AI

Think of access monitoring as the gatekeeper of your clinical AI system –only those with the right keys can enter and those who no longer need access have their keys revoked immediately. This proactive approach enhances the efficiency of your AI solution, minimizes security risks and ensures compliance with federal regulations like HIPAA. In short, access monitoring not only protects patient data but also supports the operational efficiency and governance of AI-driven healthcare systems.

Explore the Latest AI Insights, Trends and Research

Follow a manual added link

Webinars

Aidoc experts, customers and industry leaders share the latest in AI benefits and adoption.

Follow a manual added link

eBooks

Explore how clinical AI can transform your health system with insights rooted in real-world experiences.

Follow a manual added link

AI Strategy

Learn how to go beyond the algorithm to develop a scalable AI strategy and implementation plan.

Follow a manual added link

Solutions

Explore how Aidoc can help increase hospital efficiency, improve outcomes and demonstrate ROI.

Yuval Segev

© Copyright 2024 Aidoc