In 2019, the Department of Defense (DoD), together with Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) and the Carnegie Mellon University Software Engineering Institute (SEI), began reviewing existing cybersecurity standards. Their goal was clear: to combine these practices into a single, unified cybersecurity framework to protect the DoD supply chain. This framework is now known as the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). Although the CMMC is still being fully developed, select DoD contractors are expected to undergo CMMC audits as early as this year. If you’re a government contractor, there’s no time to wait. Use this CMMC audit preparation checklist to get ready and ensure your organization meets all requirements.
Category: Compliance Standards
Staying informed about all of the cyber security compliance standards is essential to keeping your company safe from hackers. Read on to learn about the various steps you can take to stay up to date with your industry’s compliance standards.
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Preparation Checklist for a CMMC Audit
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Main Causes of Security Breaches in the Healthcare Industry
Over the past decade, the healthcare industry has undergone a major shift from paper records to electronic health records (EHRs). In 2008, fewer than half of healthcare organizations used EHR systems. Today, thanks to the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009 (HITECH), digital records are now the standard across hospitals, clinics, and physician offices. While EHR adoption has modernized healthcare operations and improved patient care, it has also introduced new cybersecurity Security Breaches . As healthcare organizations store increasing amounts of sensitive patient information online, the risk of healthcare security breaches has grown significantly.
Since the HITECH Act strengthened penalties for noncompliance, the number of reported healthcare breaches has risen steadily. In 2010 alone, the number of reported incidents exceeded the total from the previous six years combined. Although the spike was initially attributed to rapid EHR adoption, it is now clear that several factors contribute to the growing risk of healthcare security breaches. With the widespread use of digital tools—including smartphones, cloud storage, connected medical devices, and complex network systems—cybersecurity threats in healthcare have become more sophisticated. Understanding the causes of healthcare security breaches is essential for protecting electronic protected health information (ePHI) and strengthening healthcare cybersecurity defenses. (more…)
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The Do’s and Don’ts of Preparing for HIPAA
As a medical or health care provider, staying compliant with federal regulations is one of the most important—and often most stressful, parts of protecting your patients’ rights. Federal, state, and local agencies regularly introduce new rules that affect how your practice operates. Failing to follow these requirements can lead to severe financial penalties and increased risk exposure. In this guide, we’ll focus on the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), one of the most critical frameworks for safeguarding patients’ Personal Health Information (PHI). Understanding what should be included in a HIPAA compliance checklist can help you avoid common mistakes and strengthen your overall security posture.
HIPAA requirements apply differently depending on the type of medical practice or covered entity. Without the right knowledge, it’s easy to overlook essential safeguards. According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the agency responsible for enforcing HIPAA violations were found in 69% of the compliance issues they investigated.
These numbers reveal a simple truth: many medical providers are not fully prepared for HIPAA compliance. So the question becomes, do you know what it takes to ensure your HIPAA compliance checklist is complete and up to date?
Read on to learn the most important do’s and don’ts of HIPAA compliance, and how you can better prepare your organization to meet evolving regulatory requirements.
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System and Communications Protection (SC) Requirements for CMMC Level 3
To achieve CMMC Level 3 certification, Department of Defense (DoD) contractors must meet strict cybersecurity requirements, especially in the area of System and Communications Protection (SC).
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What is QSA?
Achieving PCI DSS compliance is critical for reducing the risk of data breaches, but the requirements can feel overwhelming especially for larger organizations. To ensure businesses meet all security standards set by the PCI Security Standards Council, many turn to a PCI QSA (Qualified Security Assessor). A PCI QSA is certified to evaluate security controls, identify gaps, and guide organizations through the compliance process with accuracy and efficiency.
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What is Considered PHI Under HIPAA?
When working toward HIPAA compliance, it is crucial to understand exactly what is considered PHI under HIPAA. PHI, or Protected Health Information, refers to any patient data that can be used to identify an individual and relates to their medical history, treatments, or payment for healthcare services.
The HIPAA Privacy Rule sets strict guidelines for how organizations must handle PHI to protect patients’ confidentiality. By understanding what qualifies as PHI, healthcare providers and their business associates can remain compliant, avoid costly penalties, and maintain patient trust.
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HIPAA Violation Reporting 101
Organizations in and around healthcare must comply with HIPAA regulations to safeguard the privacy, confidentiality, and integrity of Protected Health Information (PHI). A critical part of compliance involves HIPAA violation reporting—ensuring that any breach or misuse of PHI is promptly reported to the appropriate parties, including the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) when required.
By understanding the process for reporting HIPAA violations, covered entities and business associates can minimize risks, protect patient trust, and avoid costly penalties. (more…)
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What is a Disaster Recovery Plan for HIPAA Compliance?
Healthcare organizations and their business associates must be prepared to restore systems, applications, and sensitive data in the event of a disruption. A HIPAA compliant disaster recovery plan ensures that protected health information (PHI) remains secure and accessible, even during natural disasters, cyberattacks, or unexpected outages.
By implementing a disaster recovery plan aligned with HIPAA’s Security Rule contingency requirements, organizations can respond quickly to incidents, minimize downtime, and maintain patient trust. Read on to learn what makes a disaster recovery plan HIPAA compliant and why it’s essential. (more…)
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How to Ensure the Security of Electronic Health Records for HIPAA Compliance
Safeguarding electronic health records security is a top priority for healthcare organizations and their business associates. Because EHR systems store sensitive protected health information (PHI), organizations must follow strict requirements under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Implementing strong security controls helps healthcare organizations protect patient privacy, prevent data breaches, and reduce the risk of regulatory penalties. This guide explains the best practices organizations can follow to strengthen electronic health records security while maintaining HIPAA compliance. (more…)
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Guide to Deidentified Patient Data Security
Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), patient data security is a critical requirement, and the protected health information (PHI) of patients must be secured at all times. This includes personal information such as names, birthdays, medical conditions, treatments, account numbers, Social Security numbers, and technology-related information (e.g., IP addresses or device serial numbers). However, deidentified patient data is exempt from this rule.
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