Nurses and healthcare institutions can adopt several measures to mitigate these threats:
1. Strong and Unique Passwords: Encourage the use of complex passwords that combine upper and lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters. Each account should have a unique password.
2. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Implementing 2FA adds an extra layer of security. Even if a password is compromised, the attacker would still need a second form of verification, such as a code sent to a nurse’s mobile device.
3. Regular Password Changes: Require nurses to change their passwords at regular intervals to reduce the risk of long-term exposure in case of a breach.
4. Education and Training: Regularly educate and train nursing staff on password security, recognizing phishing attempts, and the importance of not sharing passwords.
5. Password Managers: Use password management tools to create and store strong passwords securely. This helps in avoiding the reuse of passwords across different accounts.