Data privacy expert provides important guidance for healthcare organizations on how to prevent a HIPAA breach—in a new article from Messaging Architects
HOBOKEN, N.J., Aug. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Messaging Architects, an eMazzanti Technologies Company and data privacy expert, has published a new article offering essential guidance to help protect sensitive patient data and take the pain out of HIPAA compliance.
The informative article outlines nine best practices to incorporate, beginning with a foundation of risk assessments, strict access controls, and an updated incident response plan.
The author then suggests priorities for building a multilayer defense and addressing the human factor.
"The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) sets a high bar for protecting sensitive patient data. While no method can guarantee complete safety, incorporating several key strategies will significantly reduce risks," emphasized Greg Smith, Vice President of Services Delivery at Messaging Architects.
Below are a few excerpts from the article, "9 Best Practices to Prevent a HIPAA Breach and Preserve Patient Privacy."
Strict access controls
"To help ensure that only authorized personnel can view or modify PHI, pay particular attention to access control. This involves strengthening policies and procedures around verifying user identity and then carefully controlling what access each user has."
Incident response plan
"Cyber incidents will happen. But do not let them catch you unprepared. Make a detailed plan in advance for how your organization will manage incidents. An incident response plan will include steps to contain and assess the breach and then eradicate the infection. It will also detail the recovery process and specify how communication will be handled throughout."
Endpoint security
"In addition to securing the network itself, take steps to secure the devices that connect to the network. These include laptops and PCs, tablets, smartphones, and IoT devices. Many of these devices either contain PHI or provide a potential doorway to cyber attack."
Employee training
"Human error represents a significant factor in many breaches. Equip your staff with regular training on HIPAA compliance and security best practices. This will help them understand their role in data protection and reduce the risk of accidental breaches. For instance, when transmitting PHI, employees should only use secure, HIPAA-compliant communication channels."
Partner with Security and Compliance Experts to Prevent a HIPAA Breach
Strict privacy laws combined with an increasingly treacherous cyber security landscape result in a complex regulatory environment. But achieving and maintaining compliance does not have to feel like an insurmountable problem. Steer clear of compliance mistakes by partnering with a compliance expert like Messaging Architects.
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About Messaging Architects
Messaging Architects specializes in effectively managing and securing an organization's most precious asset, its information. With over 20 years of information management and technology consulting experience, the Messaging Architects team has provided corporations, educational intuitions, health care facilities and nonprofits with methodologies, procedures, and technology to keep their data organized, compliant and secure.
About eMazzanti Technologies
eMazzanti's team of trained, certified IT experts rapidly deliver increased revenue growth, data security and productivity for clients ranging from law firms to high-end global retailers, expertly providing advanced business cyber security, retail and payment technology, digital marketing services, AI, cloud and mobile solutions, multi-site implementations, 24×7 outsourced network management, remote monitoring, and support.
eMazzanti's consistent growth landed them on the Inc. 5000 list 9X. Recognized as a 4X Microsoft Partner of the Year, the #1 ranked NYC area MSP, NJ Business of the Year, and 5X WatchGuard Partner of the Year, the company excels as a trusted outsourced IT partner! Contact: 1-866-362-9926, [email protected] or http://www.emazzanti.net Twitter: @emazzanti Facebook: Facebook.com/emazzantitechnologies.
Media Contact
Juliana Wallace, Messaging Architects, 2178999111, [email protected], https://messagingarchitects.com/
SOURCE Messaging Architects
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