The HIPAA security rule covers a variety of security measures. These are broken down into two categories: Required standards and addressable standards. While required standards are mandatory, addressable standards are only applicable when appropriate. This means that companies that do not abide by the rule are at risk of facing fines or penalties.
Best practices for protecting ePHI
Whether your company’s data is stored on the web or in a physical file cabinet, you must follow strict security measures to protect it. For example, you should implement two-factor authentication, a security method in which a second user must enter a second password in addition to the user’s standard password credentials. This method will help prevent unauthorized access to ePHI. You should also encrypt messages sent and received by any devices that contain ePHI. Moreover, you should keep activity logs to track how ePHI data is handled. Also, be sure to disable devices that store ePHI when not in use.
Another method of protecting ePHI is to create an off-site backup. Off-site backups will ensure that you do not lose your data completely, even if you’re not around to take action. Off-site backups can be stored in a separate facility and will minimize the risk of data loss.
Compliance attestation requirements
HIPAA’s security rule requires healthcare organizations to implement policies and procedures that protect health information. These policies must be in place for at least six years and may be longer, depending on state requirements. In addition, policies may need to be revised periodically to ensure continued compliance with the rule.
Performing a HIPAA readiness assessment is an important step in ensuring compliance with the rules. A third party can evaluate your existing controls and help you identify gaps and improvements to bring your organization into compliance. A third-party can also attest to your compliance, which can provide greater assurance to your business partners.
The Security Rule sets standards for electronic storage of individually identifiable health information. This subset of health information is referred to as e-PHI. It does not apply to printed or verbal forms of PHI.
Fines and penalties for noncompliance
Fines and penalties for noncompliance of HIPAA security rule vary, depending on the level of negligence. First-tier violations carry fines of $1000 to $50,000. In the case of repeat violations, penalties may rise as high as $1.5 million. Penalties for willful neglect of HIPAA security rule requirements can be more severe and include jail time for individuals.
Penalties are calculated on a four-tier scale, with each tier representing a different degree of culpability. The Office for Civil Rights can impose maximum and minimum fines for HIPAA security rule violations. The fines can also be capped at a certain amount of money per violation and per covered entity.
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) finds out about HIPAA violations in several ways. First, Covered Entities must notify the agency within 60 days if they have discovered an unsecured breach of PHI. Additionally, patients can use the OCR’s complaint portal to report delays or refusals to provide health information to them. Whistleblower protection is also provided for employees who report violations.
Implementation of standards
The HIPAA Security Rule requires the implementation of three types of safeguards. These safeguards include technical measures, organizational requirements, and documentation. Implementation of these safeguards will be more complicated than the implementation of the HIPAA Privacy Rule. For this reason, it is important to have adequate HIT resources to help your organization implement the new rules.
The Security Rule is a comprehensive framework that covers electronic systems that store and process Protected Health Information (PHI). The rules are very technical and contain a variety of information technology standards and best practices. The HIPAA Security Rule should be considered in the context of an organization’s size and type of business.
Implementation of HIPAA Security Rules requires covered entities to implement technical and administrative safeguards for electronic systems. These safeguards cover the physical security of the facility, workstations, and electronic information systems. Additionally, they must develop a written security policy and conduct periodic updates to ensure that they are meeting the requirements.