The Department of Health (DoH) and the Chartered Institute for IT (BCS) have joined together to provide guidance on ensuring the security of digital health records.

The collaboration between the two groups comes as the NHS moves towards the complete digitalisation of patient records by 2015.

The joint guidance released by the DoH and BCS provides specific guidance on creating strong passwords, analysing where data is shared, and highlighting the importance of storing data on secure devices.

Health services which have faced difficulties in the past in upgrading records to a digital system, will be faced with the challenge of ensuring that records are digitalised by the deadline, and ensuring that thousands of professionals in remote locations have access to the records, while all at the same time ensuring that highly sensitive records do not fall into unauthorised hands.

Dr Wai Keong Wong, head of guideline development on behalf of the BCS, said of the advice: “These records contain potentially sensitive personal information, so it’s important that individuals know how to keep them safe. Everyone should take the same care with their health and social care records as they do if they use online banking. This guidance explains how to access records safely, keep them secure, and key factors to consider before choosing to share them with others.”

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