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HIPAA Compliance: Why IT consultants are an organization’s best partner
Partnering with an IT consultant for assistance with HIPAA compliance is ideal because of HIPAA’s emphasis on protecting ePHI data. The right partner will help your organization understand and comply with all areas of HIPAA; however, the HIPAA Security Rule is a specific reason why you want to partner with an IT consultant. The HIPAA Security Rule is segmented into three safeguards and complying with each safeguard will require technical expertise. The three safeguards are as follows:
Technical Safeguards:
Access Controls
Examples: Creating a timed logout policy, Creating password policies
Encryption of information outside your firewall
Examples: Encrypting outbound emails containing ePHI, Encrypting hard drives for laptops containing ePHI, Ensuring users have a secure connection to the office’s network
Logging
Example: Maintain date-stamped data providing insights into which users accessed ePHI and what the users did with it
Physical Safeguards:
Facility Access Controls
Policies and procedures for mobile devices
Example: Utilizing a centralized mobile device management tool to enforce policies/procedures on users’ devices
Administrative Safeguards:
- Conducting risk assessments
- Employee training
- Restricting 3rd-party access
HIPAA compliance is an ongoing process with no finish line for covered entities and their business associates. This makes it necessary to form an ongoing partnership with an IT consultant capable of helping your organization comply with HIPAA and, most importantly, protect the PHI and ePHI data entrusted to you.
The Walker Group supports our clients with their HIPAA compliance needs. Our services entail audits, implementation of/changes to existing technology and providing employees with training content. Please contact us
today for more information regarding HIPAA compliance.
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