Technology has become an extension of ourselves and it is supposed to be a lifeline. But for many organizations, it’s becoming a double-edged sword.
The healthcare industry has a unique IT problem. On one hand, many organizations still run on outdated legacy systems that can’t support modern security updates. On the other, providers and patients alike rely on smartphones, tablets, and even consumer-grade wearables to manage health data—often with no security oversight.
This contradiction creates a perfect storm of vulnerabilities.
Imagine this: Your patient monitoring system runs on a Windows 7 machine that hasn’t seen a security patch in five years. Meanwhile, one of your nurses checks vitals on her personal phone and syncs them to her smartwatch — both completely outside of your IT department’s control. That’s not just bad practice. It’s a compliance and cybersecurity nightmare waiting to happen.
The result? A growing number of healthcare businesses are caught between two dangerous extremes: obsolete systems and uncontrolled mobile device use. Neither is safe. Both are non-compliant. And attackers know it.
If your business handles health data—whether you're a hospital, private practice, tech vendor, or SMB—you must act now to secure your digital ecosystem. Because when lives (and lawsuits) are on the line, ignorance isn’t an excuse.
Key Takeaways
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Relying solely on outdated legacy systems or unregulated mobile devices creates serious cybersecurity and compliance risks.
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Healthcare providers and SMBs must implement Mobile Device Management (MDM) to secure mobile endpoints.
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HIPAA compliance applies to any organization handling Protected Health Information (PHI)—not just hospitals.
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A secure, scalable device strategy starts with clear policies, modern controls, and continuous monitoring.
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BEMO helps healthcare organizations achieve compliance with tools like MDM and a proven track record during crises like COVID-19.
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The HPH Mobile Device Security Checklist (HHS) offers practical security guidance for mobile health devices.
Table of Contents
The Problem With Legacy Systems
Legacy systems are common in healthcare for one reason: they work. Or rather, they worked—until cybersecurity standards and compliance requirements moved on.
Older platforms may be familiar and reliable, but they:
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Often lack support for modern security patches
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Can’t integrate with cloud-based tools or modern APIs
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Don’t support encryption or role-based access controls
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Create massive compliance gaps for frameworks like HIPAA or NIST
Modernization is not just about convenience—it’s about survival. Hackers actively exploit outdated software. Even the most well-funded organizations struggle to protect legacy infrastructure from ransomware and breaches.
Staying on legacy systems is like locking your front door but leaving your windows open: it only takes one overlooked entry point to let attackers in.
BYOD and Wearables Risks
If legacy systems are the past, Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) and consumer wearable use are the ungoverned present.
Doctors using personal phones to text patients. Nurses checking vitals on tablets. Patients uploading real-time data from fitness trackers and smartwatches. It's convenient, sure—but without proper controls, it's chaos.
Many mobile devices are:
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Unencrypted
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Unmonitored
- Easy to lose, get stolen or hacked
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Shared with family members
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Missing basic security features like screen locks or remote wipe
From a compliance standpoint, that's dangerous. And if you aren’t managing mobile access points, you can’t prove due diligence in protecting ePHI (electronic protected health information).
As the HPH Mobile Device Security Checklist warns, medical organizations must understand what digital traces their devices leave—and take action.
Who’s Affected: Breaking Down the Impact
Consumer Wearable Manufacturers
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Often don’t follow healthcare-grade security standards.
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Own the data users generate, raising questions around privacy and HIPAA.
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Increasingly targeted by regulators and class-action suits.
Healthcare Providers
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Face growing compliance liability from BYOD and wearables.
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Are pressured to support remote care and telehealth integrations.
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Often lack MDM tools to secure and monitor device access.
Healthtech Companies
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Must balance fast innovation with stringent security and compliance.
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Are vulnerable if they integrate data from unsecured wearables.
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Can be the weak link in the patient data lifecycle.
Why is Mobile Device Management (MDM) Important?
Mobile Device Management (MDM) is the bridge between usability and security. It lets you retain the benefits of mobile tools—without giving up control.
A strong MDM solution lets you:
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Enforce encryption, screen locks, and secure logins
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Remotely wipe data if a device is lost or stolen
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Push updates and security patches to every device
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Separate personal and work data on BYOD setups
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Monitor device health and compliance status across your organization
Whether you're trying to meet HIPAA, NIST, or even ISO 27001 standards, MDM isn’t optional—it's a foundational control.
In fact, it’s one of the first things compliance auditors look for when evaluating technical safeguards for PHI.
To learn more about mobile device management best practices read our article What is Mobile Device Management.
HIPAA Compliance Isn’t Just for Hospitals
Many SMBs and startups assume that HIPAA doesn’t apply to them. That’s a dangerous (and costly) mistake.
If you create, store, transmit, or even touch Protected Health Information (PHI)—you’re responsible for securing it.
As BEMO’s HIPAA compliance guide for small businesses explains, HIPAA applies to:
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Healthcare providers of all sizes
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Business associates handling PHI
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SaaS apps supporting telehealth, insurance, or patient records
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Wellness apps and wearable platforms transmitting health data
HIPAA requires that you:
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Control who accesses PHI
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Encrypt data at rest and in transit
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Secure mobile devices and workstations
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Maintain audit logs and breach response plans
With fines ranging from thousands to millions of dollars, SMBs can’t afford to overlook compliance. And with the right tools, they don’t have to.
How BEMO Supports Healthcare Security at Scale
At BEMO, we’ve worked hand-in-hand with healthcare organizations to implement MDM and modern compliance strategies, especially during high-pressure times like the COVID-19 pandemic, we supported frontline organizations as they rapidly adopted remote work, mobile communications, and cloud collaboration.
Our approach: enforce security without slowing people down.
We help healthcare providers:
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Deploy Microsoft Intune for MDM and endpoint compliance
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Migrate away from legacy systems safely
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Meet HIPAA and other compliance frameworks fast
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Apply Zero Trust principles to all devices and users
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Enable secure BYOD policies and protect PHI on mobile devices
When emergencies strike, security can’t wait. And when lives are on the line, neither can compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest risk with legacy healthcare systems?
Legacy systems often lack support for modern security updates, making them a primary target for cybercriminals. They also create gaps in compliance with frameworks like HIPAA and NIST.
Is my organization responsible for a breach caused by a personal device?
Yes. If a clinician accesses ePHI on their personal device and it’s not secured, your organization is still liable under HIPAA.
Can consumer wearables be used safely in healthcare?
Yes—but only if properly managed. Devices must be secured using tools like MDM, and data ownership must be clearly defined. Most wearables aren’t designed with healthcare compliance in mind.
Do small businesses really need HIPAA compliance?
Absolutely. HIPAA applies to any entity handling PHI, regardless of size. If you’re a vendor, SaaS provider, or support service in the healthcare space, HIPAA likely applies to you.
What is MDM and why does it matter?
Mobile Device Management (MDM) lets you enforce security controls on mobile devices—including encryption, remote wipe, and app restrictions. It’s essential for securing BYOD environments and complying with HIPAA and other standards.
Are consumer wearables considered HIPAA compliant?
Only if used under a HIPAA-covered entity’s guidance and secured appropriately. Most out-of-the-box wearables are not compliant.
Can MDM protect against ransomware?
MDM won’t stop every attack, but it drastically reduces risk by limiting unauthorized access, enforcing patches, and enabling remote wipes.
What’s the cost of doing nothing?
Data breaches in healthcare cost an average of $10.93 million per incident (IBM 2023). Ignoring mobile security is not a savings—it’s a ticking time bomb.
How quickly can MDM be deployed?
With a partner like BEMO, most small to mid-sized healthcare orgs can be up and running within a few weeks, with minimal disruption.
Want to secure your mobile devices and meet HIPAA fast? Contact BEMO to learn how we can help.
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