What does having a Virtual Private Network (VPN) allow for telehealth professionals?

Having a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is crucial for telehealth professionals as it significantly enhances security when accessing patient data. A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel for data transmission, protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access and potential cyber threats. This is especially important in healthcare, where safeguarding patient confidentiality and data integrity is mandated by regulations such as HIPAA. By utilizing a VPN, telehealth practitioners can securely connect to their network, ensuring that patient information remains private and compliant with legal requirements.

Accessing telehealth resources for free, communicating directly with other healthcare providers, or receiving instant updates on telehealth regulations do not necessarily relate to the primary function of a VPN. These aspects may involve other tools or platforms that are not primarily tied to the security benefits that a VPN provides.