Information storage and transfer part 1: cyber security

The intrinsic value of health information is higher than other types of data due to its inherent complexity and links to other information channels. This reality is certainly the case in the US where details of names, birth dates, policy numbers, diagnosis codes and billing information have been used by criminals to buy drugs or medical equipment which can then be resold. In addition, it is also possible to create false claims to health insurers using stolen patient details. Such frauds relating to health claims may take considerable time to detect within health systems with large numbers of such claims.