[grow_thumb image=”https://telecareaware.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/keep-calm-and-encrypt-your-data-5.png” thumb_width=”150″ /] Criminal activity is the cause of nearly 6 out of 10 data breaches, according to a study published in JAMA last week (subscription required). Cyberbreaches–the infamous hacking attacks–produce breaches in the millions, but the far more typical and frequent breach, if smaller, is caused by simple theft of records–electronic and paper. HealthLeaders We’ve reported previously that stolen records (over 500) have ranged from laptops to paper records as landfill and even old-style X-rays in dead storage sought after for mercury content. So if Hackermania is not always running wild, except when it is, how to keep those records secure? According to West Virginia United Health System’s assistant CIO interviewed by FierceHealthIT at HIMSS, it requires a policy change of staff education, expectations, understanding that protecting patient information is part of holistic care–and frequent audits. Trust, but verify. Encrypt–and keep passwords secure, multiple and frequently changed.