When it comes to protecting healthcare data, many people think of HIPAA compliance and cybersecurity as interchangeable terms. But, in reality, they are two distinct concepts that need to be considered separately. While HIPAA compliance is a necessary requirement for healthcare businesses, it does not guarantee that a business is secure from cybercriminals. To truly protect sensitive information, a strong cybersecurity program must also be put in place. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the differences between cybersecurity and HIPAA compliance and why it’s important for healthcare organizations to understand them.
The Basics: What is Cybersecurity?
As technology and data become increasingly intertwined, it is important to protect our information from malicious actors. Cybersecurity does this by using tools like firewalls, anti-virus software, encryption, and other techniques to protect networks and data from attack. Cybersecurity also involves regularly assessing systems for vulnerabilities and updating them as necessary.
Organizations must take cybersecurity seriously, as the risks of not doing so are high. Cybercriminals can use exploits to gain access to sensitive data or systems, allowing them to steal money, manipulate information, or disrupt services. Cybersecurity attacks can result in financial losses, regulatory fines, reputational damage, and more. In short, it is critical that businesses invest in a strong cybersecurity program to protect their assets and their customers.
The Details: What is HIPAA Compliance?
The HIPAA Privacy Rule is the main regulation that governs how healthcare providers, health plans, and health care clearinghouses (collectively known as covered entities) use and disclose a patient’s protected health information (PHI). It also addresses patients’ rights to access and control their PHI. The Privacy Rule protects any individually identifiable health information a covered entity collects, stores, or transmits in any form, including electronic, paper, or oral.
The HIPAA Security Rule builds on the Privacy Rule to protect PHI that is stored, processed, or transmitted electronically. It sets standards for technical safeguards and administrative procedures to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic PHI (ePHI). The Security Rule requires organizations to conduct regular security risk assessments and to address any vulnerabilities they find. Covered entities must also have an incident response plan in place in case of a security breach.
Adhering to HIPAA regulations can be a complex process that requires the implementation of policies and procedures tailored to each individual organization. While having a strong cybersecurity program is not the only way to be compliant with HIPAA, it is essential for protecting patient data and reducing the risk of a security breach.
Organizations must ensure that employees are trained on how best to handle sensitive information through awareness training programs which are designed for their specific roles within the organization. Furthermore, it is crucial that staff members understand how they should react during an incident so that they know what steps they should take first thing after being notified of any suspected security breaches.
The Connection: How They Work Together?
HIPAA compliance and cybersecurity go hand-in-hand. Healthcare organizations need to have a strong cybersecurity program in place in order to remain compliant with HIPAA rules and regulations. By implementing the necessary safeguards, healthcare organizations can protect the privacy and security of patient data and reduce the risk of a costly data breach. A company needs to be able to maintain operational continuity for their organization so that it is able to fulfill its mission as a provider of quality care. If a company does not have an established IT strategy or has no continuity plan in place, then they are putting themselves at high risk for disruption due to an attack.
The Importance: Why Does This Matter?
HIPAA regulations are designed to protect the privacy and security of patient information. To be HIPAA compliant, healthcare organizations must adhere to certain guidelines around the storage, transmission, and disposal of protected health information (PHI). This includes having physical, administrative, and technical safeguards in place.
The technical safeguards required for HIPAA compliance include:
- Implementing access controls to ensure that only authorized individuals can access PHI.
- Establishing audit controls to track who has accessed PHI and when.
- Encrypting PHI to ensure it cannot be viewed without permission.
- Developing a contingency plan to ensure PHI is secure even in the event of a disaster or data breach.
These technical safeguards are all part of a cybersecurity program. A good cybersecurity program can help healthcare organizations comply with HIPAA rules and regulations by protecting PHI from unauthorized access. It also helps organizations identify any weaknesses in their existing security systems and implement additional measures to ensure compliance.
Don't do HIPAA alone
IT Enabled understands the technical rules of HIPAA. We understand the complexities and nuances of the HIPAA technology rules and can help you create a roadmap to ensure compliance. We partner with The Compliancy Group to help you ensure your internal processes fulfill the rest of the HIPAA requirements. With our team on your side, you can rest easy knowing that your organization is HIPAA compliant and your data is secure.
Who is Compliancy Group?
Compliancy Group has nearly 20 years of experience in helping medical professionals from all specialties navigate HIPAA compliance in a way that simplifies the process and fulfills every requirement of the law. Let us be the cure for your HIPAA headaches.
Who is IT Enabled?
IT Enabled is a managed service provider. We help organizations with 5-500 employees tackle technology issues by providing comprehensive IT support, business phone systems, cybersecurity, and disaster recovery options. Our business is keeping you focused on your business.