The healthcare industry is subject to many types of existing and new cybersecurity threats. With technology constantly developing and information considered to be highly valuable, cyber criminals see this industry as a gold mine of sorts. Crime can also occur internally, with employees playing the part of "bad actor."
In today's increasingly digitized world, the HIPAA Security Rule in healthcare has become vital in safeguarding patient data from unauthorized access or theft. Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), healthcare providers and covered entities must establish safeguards that guarantee the confidentiality, accuracy, and accessibility of electronic health information about their patients (ePHI). These standards protect ePHI from physical and virtual threats like malware, hacking, and unauthorized access. In addition to ensuring compliance with HIPAA regulations, adhering to the Security Rule can help providers protect their patients' privacy and maintain their trust. Neglecting to comply with these requirements could lead to severe monetary fines and harm a healthcare provider's reputation.
In most organizations, there's an extensive "shadow IT" network, also known as a shadow IT system.
In every mid-size and large organization, there's usually an extensive interconnected network of approved software solutions and systems. In some cases, these software or hardware solutions are proprietary and have been developed exclusively for that organization.
However, since the turn of the century, there has been rapid proliferation of cloud-based software, hardware, apps, and other systems that organizations are now using. Businesses are often spending anywhere from tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars annually on software, hardware, and IT vendors and IT Service Management (ITSM) partners.
When it comes to personal health information (PHI), healthcare organizations can never be too safe. The repercussions for lost, stolen or manipulated data could cost you large sums of money, a tarnished reputation, and even jail time. According to data shared by HIPAA Journal, there were 347 healthcare data breaches of 500 or more records reported to the Department of Health and Human Services' Office for Civil Rights (OCR) Between January 1, 2022, and June 30, 2022.
Building software products is inherently risky. Regardless of cloud providers and security vendors you might work with, the Web, as we know it, is a high-risk environment for software developers and applications.
Cybercrime is on the rise. Cybercriminals, either in organized gangs, professional criminal hackers (sometimes known as Hacking as a Service), and even unhappy employees or contractors will always find a way to weaken an organization's security.
Customer data privacy management is essential in all business sectors, not only from a legal perspective, but as part of the customer experience. Customers trust organizations and service providers with their information and personal data.
Any organization that fails to provide reasonable and adequate safeguards for personal information and data is in breach of what customers and legislation expects.
Who does HIPAA apply to? A common misconception is that HIPAA only applies to healthcare organizations and their administrators, like family practitioners, cardiologists, and hospitals. While it is a predominant concern for this sector and its related specialists, HIPAA coverage expands to many other industries — anywhere there is personal health information (PHI) collected, stored, or shared — think of personal injury law firms as an example. So, if you work or use services outside of the healthcare field, you should educate yourself on how HIPAA rules and non-compliance can affect you, and we have some tips for consideration.
We live in a hyper-connected society. Almost everyone we know has a cell phone, tablet, or computer — maybe all and more. These devices are designed to make our day-to-day activities more efficient and enjoyable. While healthcare is rarely an enjoyable experience, there are always means that can be used to make it more comfortable. One of those solutions comes with improved technology that allows patients and providers to communicate and share data with speed and ease. The most common way improved communication occurs between both parties is through personal electronic devices, like smartphones. Although this sounds like a great idea, it has not exactly taken off. This is mainly because HIPAA still applies.
Those working as mental health providers over the last decade have experienced a shift in how tools are used to help their practices. This is true for both large mental health facilities and solo practitioners. Electronic health record (EHR) tools along with electronic medical record (EMR) tools have made many processes easier for mental health professionals, whether they be behavioral health, therapy, counseling EHRs, or any number of mental health categories.
Rising data breaches in healthcare have paved the way for compliance laws to keep patients' medical data secure. Thousands of healthcare providers in the US are now legally required to adhere to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). As a result, they need to use HIPAA-compliant technologies when corresponding with clients and patients online.
