The U.S. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protects the confidentiality and security of health information. While the Privacy Rule governs the use and disclosure of protected health information (PHI), the Security Rule specifically addresses electronic PHI (ePHI). According to the Security Rule, covered entities must implement administrative, physical, and technical safeguards.
Administrative safeguards include policies and procedures, the appointment of a security officer, user access controls, staff training, and contingency planning. Physical safeguards involve controlling physical access to hardware and facilities, securely disposing of equipment that stores ePHI, and ensuring secure workstation placement and use. Technical safeguards require encryption and de‑identification of ePHI, integrity controls to detect data tampering, and user authentication mechanisms.
Compliance with HIPAA also requires conducting regular risk analyses to identify potential threats and vulnerabilities and implementing a risk management plan. Small practices and business associates should document policies, train employees on privacy and security practices, and test contingency plans. For organisations seeking to streamline HIPAA compliance, tools like Scrut Automation can help centralise documentation and evidence for audits.
