#Dedicated to Securing the Actionable Intelligence Frontline Workers Need

In honor of Data Privacy Day, an annual international event to highlight the importance of privacy and data protection best practices, we connected with Judy Hatchett, Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer at Surescripts. Among the many roles you can play in the health technology space, Hatchett is what we call a “strong female lead.” And that’s a very good thing for a field in need of more women technologists who can inspire the rising technology stars of tomorrow. Here, Hatchett combines her deep and vast expertise to guide the team that protects the Surescripts network, and safely and securely delivers actionable patient intelligence to frontline healthcare workers.

Hatchett’s track record of capable leadership recently earned her the role of commissioner of the Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC), a non-profit standards development organization and accrediting body designed to improve transactional quality, operational efficiency and data security in healthcare.

Here, she talks about the critical behind-the-scenes role that she and her team get to play, what drives her, and the impact of her work on the front lines of the battle against COVID-19.

• Q: Can you describe your role and how it helps keep the nation’s most trusted and capable health information network secure and reliable during a pandemic?

  A:

  As the Chief Information Security Officer, my role is to ensure that we partner across all product, customer, human resources, finance, legal and information technology teams at Surescripts to ensure that the data we exchange is secure and readily available. My teams closely monitor our network for malicious actors and activities, and we proactively work with our product teams to ensure that information security is built in throughout the product lifecycle. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have become even more vigilant because we truly care about our employees, our customers, their patients and their families. Last year, we leveraged our geographically diverse organizational structure and our virtual collaboration capabilities to make a smooth transition to a fully remote and secure workforce. And my team continues to train and test our workforce on preventing and responding to cyber threats.

  Q: Which areas of healthcare does your work most impact and how?

  A:

  My work has a direct and positive impact on patient care by ensuring that the proper security controls are implemented and working as intended to enable the secure transmission of electronic protected health information (e-PHI)—both on our network and within our corporate infrastructure. The power of information sharing is eroded when the proper security measures are not in place.

  Q: What is your message to frontline healthcare workers?

  A:

  I want to first say thank you! Your jobs have suddenly become more dangerous, and you are constantly dealing with changing dynamics. I am grateful for each one of you, and I’m so inspired by your relentless ability to show up every day. I am in awe of how you balance your commitment to helping those in need with your desire to protect yourself and your family. You matter, your work matters, and everyone at Surescripts is proudly in your corner.

  Q: What keeps you going? What inspires you to stay #dedicated in tough times?

  A:

  First is knowing what we are doing impacts patient care. We are enabling the healthcare system to continue to operate during these incredibly tough times. With so many variables stopping or hindering patients’ ability to receive needed healthcare services, we are proud to not be one of them. Second is knowing that my team and I are continuously monitoring the security of our network, and that our fellow Surescripts teammates have the technology they need to continue to work securely from home and meet the needs of our customers and their patients.

  Q: What do you want people to know about the work that Surescripts does behind the scenes?

  A:

  We pride ourselves on adhering to strict compliance requirements, and we are constantly working on maturing our information security program and posture. We continually strive to build trust among all participants across the Surescripts Network Alliance. Wherever you receive care, we’re working in the background to empower your care team with the information they need to make the best possible decisions on your behalf.