Healthcare Assessments
Healthcare information security assessments are critical processes that evaluate the security measures and practices in place to protect sensitive patient data and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements in the healthcare industry.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal law enacted in the United States in 1996. HIPAA addresses various aspects of healthcare, with a primary focus on protecting the privacy and security of patients' personal health information (PHI). HIPAA has three main rules when it comes to the security of sensitive data:
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Privacy Rule: The HIPAA Privacy Rule establishes standards for safeguarding patients' PHI. It gives individuals control over their health information by outlining how healthcare providers, health plans, and other covered entities can use, disclose, and handle PHI. The Privacy Rule also grants patients rights regarding access to their records and requires covered entities to provide notices of privacy practices.
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Security Rule: The HIPAA Security Rule complements the Privacy Rule by setting standards for the security of electronic PHI (ePHI). It requires covered entities to implement administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect against unauthorized access, use, and disclosure of ePHI. Security measures include access controls, encryption, audit trails, and disaster recovery plans.
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Breach Notification Rule: The HIPAA Breach Notification Rule requires covered entities to notify affected individuals, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and sometimes the media, in the event of a breach of unsecured PHI. The rule establishes criteria for assessing breaches, determining if notification is required, and specifies the timing and content of the notifications.
Why get an information security assessment on healthcare data?
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​Compliance: One of the primary reasons for getting a healthcare information security assessment is to ensure compliance with the regulations. By conducting an assessment, organizations can evaluate their current practices, policies, and safeguards to identify any gaps or areas of non-compliance.
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Third-Party Assurance: Many healthcare organizations, especially those that handle PHI on behalf of others, undergo assessments to provide assurance to their clients, partners, and stakeholders. By demonstrating compliance, organizations can assure their customers and business partners that they have implemented appropriate measures to protect patient information and meet regulatory requirements.
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Avoidance of Penalties and Legal Consequences: Non-compliance can lead to severe penalties and legal consequences. Organizations that fail to adhere to healthcare information regulations may face substantial fines, legal actions, reputational damage, and other negative consequences.
How can we help?
We can provide you with an independent audit of your compliance with HIPAA, GDPR, or CCPA to provide to customers or other stakeholders. This will not only provide you with the confidence you need to interact on the protection of the healthcare information you store and process, but provide your customers and stakeholders that comfort as well.