Swedish Healthcare Uses YubiKey for Securing Access to Patient Data

PALO ALTO, Calif. and STOCKHOLM, Apr. 05, 2011 — To meet the security requirements from the Swedish Data Inspection Agency, Swedish hospitals are now starting to use YubiKey USB authentication, including a world leading quality register of stroke patients.

Riks-Stroke, the national register center for acute stroke, is one of the largest quality registers in Sweden. All Swedish hospitals admitting acute stroke patients participate. With more than a quarter of a million stroke events recorded, Riks-Stroke plays a leading role in European collaboration of stroke registers.

In October 2010, the Swedish Data Inspection Agency audited the quality of national registers. Riks-Stroke was criticized for its login security routines, a critique that also affected other audited registers. The Data Inspection Agency did not consider username and password to be sufficient means of authentication and required an additional level of security for login.

Today, employees securely log on to the Riks-Stroke registration pages with a YubiKey or smart card, meeting the Data Inspection Agency’s requirements.

We believe that the system will work well,” says Per Ivarsson, Riks-Stroke secretary.

The YubiKey simplifies the process of logging in with a One-Time Password (OTP) token as it does not require the user to re-type OTPs from a display device into the login field of the computer. The YubiKey is inserted in the USB port of any computer and the OTP is generated and automatically entered with a simple touch of a button on the YubiKey, without the need of any client software or drivers. The rugged, ultra-thin, battery-free, crush safe and waterproof design has also been fundamental to the success of the YubiKey, currently used by a million users globally.

For more about Riks-Stroke, please click here.

 

About Yubico

Yubico sets new global standards for simple and secure access to computers, mobile devices, servers, and internet accounts.

The company’s core invention, the YubiKey, delivers strong hardware protection, with a simple touch, across any number of IT systems and online services. The YubiHSM, Yubico’s ultra-portable hardware security module, protects sensitive data stored in servers.

Yubico is a leading contributor to the FIDO2WebAuthn, and FIDO Universal 2nd Factor open authentication standards, and the company’s technology is deployed and loved by 9 of the top 10 internet brands and by millions of users in 160 countries.

Founded in 2007, Yubico is privately held, with offices in Sweden, UK, Germany, USA, Australia, and Singapore. For more information: www.yubico.com

Press RoomPress Room

Share this article:


  • Digital security’s unique role in protecting our environmentAs sustainability expands to include social, economic, and technological challenges, cybersecurity has emerged as a top global threat – with cybercrime projected to cost $12 trillion this year. Stolen credentials and phishing account for 80% of breaches. At Yubico, making the world more secure is just part of how we care for the world around […]Read moreCSREarth DaySecure It ForwardSustainability
  • Breaking down Australia’s plan to combat AI-driven phishing scamsAcross Australia, cybercrime continues to be a major challenge impacting businesses, critical infrastructure and consumers alike. The use of AI by bad actors across the spectrum of cybercrime is on the rise, and as a result, credential phishing scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated. AI is effectively helping to lower the cost of phishing and increase […]Read moreAIAPACAustraliaphishing
  • 5 fast cybersecurity tips to clean up your digital lifeWith today being Identity Management Day, now is the perfect time to take stock of your online presence, update security settings, and ensure that your personal data remains protected from cyber threats like phishing. We’re also seeing increasing concerns of DeepSeek and other AI tools around data privacy making these kinds of attacks more successful […]Read morebest practices
  • Navigating the PCI DSS 4.0 transition and meeting compliance with phishing-resistant YubiKeysIn just a few days, on March 31, 2025, decision makers in industries that involve payment processing – including financial services, retail & hospitality and telecommunications – are tasked to finalize the transition to Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) 4.0. This deadline marks a critical juncture for all organizations handling payment card […]Read moreNISTPCI DSSPCI DSS 4.0