HIPAA Compliance Services

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is a federal law that provides guidelines and regulations aimed at protecting the privacy and security of individually identifiable health information. This law applies to covered entities such as healthcare providers, healthcare clearinghouses, and health plans and their business associates.

HIPAA regulations are divided into two primary categories: the Privacy Rule and the Security Rule. The Privacy Rule sets standards for how protected health information (PHI) can be used and disclosed. The Security Rule, on the other hand, requires covered entities and their business associates to implement administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic PHI (ePHI).

HIPAA compliance in the technology world typically refers to requirements for business associates to implement the Security Rule. This includes implementing access controls, conducting risk analyses, and regularly reviewing and updating security policies and procedures.

The purpose of HIPAA compliance is to protect sensitive patient information, maintain the privacy and security of PHI, and to avoid costly fines and penalties for non-compliance. Demonstrating HIPAA compliance is important for organizations in the healthcare industry as it shows their commitment to protecting patient data and reinforces their trust with customers, partners, and stakeholders.

At CyberCrest, we understand the complexities of HIPAA compliance. We are here to help you achieve and maintain compliance with ease. Our team of experts will work with you to assess your organization’s compliance status, implement best practices, and ensure that your patient information is secure in accordance with the HIPAA Security Rule. With our comprehensive range of services and expertise, you can rest assured that your organization is fully protected and compliant with HIPAA.

There are two HIPAA compliance requirements that are most commonly required: the Privacy Rule and the Security Rule. HIPAA requires covered entities, such as healthcare providers and health plans, to comply with the Privacy Rule and the Security Rule. Business associates, including cloud service providers, SaaS vendors, third-party service providers, and contractors, who handle PHI on behalf of covered entities must also comply with the Security Rule.

The Security Rule requires covered entities and their business associates to implement administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic protected health information (ePHI). This includes implementing access controls, conducting regular risk analyses, and regularly reviewing and updating security policies and procedures. Some of the key security safeguards include secure access controls, regular security awareness training, secure data storage, data encryption, and secure transmission of ePHI. For a more specific breakdown of the HIPAA compliance requirements, see our HIPAA Compliance Checklist.

The Privacy Rule sets standards for how protected health information (PHI) can be used and disclosed. It applies to covered entities and gives individuals certain rights over their PHI, such as the right to access and receive a copy of their PHI, and the right to request that their PHI be amended.

It is important to note that HIPAA is not a certification, but rather a set of regulations and guidelines. Implementing reasonable and appropriate measures to protect ePHI, as outlined in the Security Rule, can help protect entities from HIPAA-related violations. HIPAA attestation services, like the ones offered by CyberCrest, can also help demonstrate a commitment to HIPAA compliance and reinforce trust with customers, partners, and stakeholders.

A HIPAA Risk Assessment is a critical component of HIPAA compliance, as it helps organizations identify and mitigate potential risks and vulnerabilities that could result in a data breach. According to the HIPAA Security Rule, covered entities and their business associates are required to perform periodic risk analyses and implement risk management plans.

The risk analysis process involves assessing the likelihood and impact of potential threats to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic protected health information (ePHI). This includes evaluating technical safeguards, physical security measures, and administrative controls to ensure the protection of ePHI.

CyberCrest is well equipped to assist organizations with their HIPAA Risk Assessments. Our team has combined expertise in healthcare, cybersecurity, and cloud computing to provide a comprehensive risk analysis that is compliant with official guidance from NIST SP 800-30. Our HIPAA Risk Assessment services help organizations prepare for a potential OCR audit by making compliance documentation, evidence, and artifacts readily available and reviewed for compliance by HIPAA experts.

CyberCrest’s risk assessment services cover all aspects of HIPAA compliance and help organizations understand their current security posture, identify areas for improvement, and implement best practices to reduce the risk of a breach. With our HIPAA Risk Assessment, organizations can feel confident that they are in compliance with the HIPAA security rule and are well prepared for an OCR audit. Click here to learn more about our HIPAA risk assessment services.