IBM has agreed to provide security support for health care IT provider American Well’s Web-based telehealth software, called Online Care.
Online Care allows patients to communicate remotely with doctors from their homes or offices in online consultations. The service also provides access to electronic health records and health information exchanges.
Big Blue will aid American well in developing more secure, customized versions of its Online Care application for each client.
IBM security measures for the American well service encompass authentication, session management and passwords.
Some security enhancements won’t be immediately noticeable to users, according to American well CEO Roy Schoenberg.
"Much of the infrastructure is not visible, [such as] scanning how the system behaves, checking data integrity," he told eWEEK.
Telehealth allows patients such as veterans or those in rural areas who can’t get to a medical facility in person to go online for live medical guidance from doctors and for lab results. The service is also a way around consulting with a doctor that’s booked up or one that may not take a patient’s insurance.
"Telehealth and Online Care are emerging areas that will have a significant impact on how care is delivered
IBM to Secure American Well’s Telehealth Software Platform, Network security software