RSI Security

Understanding the NIST Cybersecurity Framework to HIPAA Crosswalk

How the NIST Cybersecurity Framework Strengthens HIPAA Compliance and Safeguards PHI

Enhance HIPAA compliance and protect PHI by mapping security safeguards to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CSF).

As cyber threats targeting Protected Health Information (PHI) continue to rise, healthcare organizations must improve how they protect sensitive data.

One proven approach is using the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CSF). Its guidelines align well with HIPAA’s privacy and security rules, helping you strengthen compliance and reduce risk.

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) includes trusted, standardized security controls that enhance HIPAA safeguards.

It helps healthcare organizations build stronger, more efficient cybersecurity programs that keep sensitive data safe from new and evolving threats.

Keep reading to see how NIST CSF and HIPAA work together to protect your healthcare data.

Streamlined Risk Management with NIST CSF and HIPAA

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework offers standardized controls to help manage security risks across all industries.

In healthcare, these controls should be tailored to your organization’s unique risks. By aligning NIST CSF with HIPAA’s Security Rule, you can strengthen your data security and protect PHI beyond HIPAA’s minimum requirements.

If you’re already HIPAA-compliant, adding NIST CSF controls will further enhance your defenses and safeguard other critical data.

The HIPAA Security Rule

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) aligns closely with the HIPAA Security Rule, which requires healthcare organizations to protect PHI using three types of safeguards:

Mapping these safeguards to NIST CSF controls strengthens your security program, helps meet compliance requirements, and extends protection beyond HIPAA’s baseline.

NIST CSF Categories and HIPAA Security Controls

The NIST CSF is organized into five key functions, each of which has specific categories that can be mapped to HIPAA’s security controls:

Here is a breakdown of actionable security practices that healthcare organizations can adopt to map these five functions to HIPAA requirements: 

  1. Identify (ID)
  1. Protect (PR)
  1. Detect (DE)
  1. Respond (RS)
  1. Recover (RC)
  1. RC.RP – Recovery Planning: Develop plans to restore PHI systems after a breach.
  2. RC.IM – Improvements: Use past incidents to improve recovery processes.
  3. RC.CO – Recovery Communications: Keep stakeholders informed during recovery efforts.

By aligning these functions with HIPAA’s security standards, healthcare organizations can ensure a thorough and proactive approach to protecting PHI.

However, organizations should view this as a guide to strengthen their cybersecurity posture, and not as a substitute for full HIPAA regulatory compliance.

Other Ways NIST CSF Protects PHI Under HIPAA

Beyond protecting PHI through its five key functions, the NIST CSF emphasizes continuous security monitoring to detect anomalous behavior and identify potential threats.

This proactive approach enables early intervention, helping to minimize the risk of full-scale attacks and reduce potential damage. To achieve this, healthcare organizations must monitor:

In addition, the NIST CSF also provides guidance on how to effectively respond to and recover from security incidents should they happen. When breaches or threats occur, healthcare organizations should:

By having robust response and recovery plans in place, organizations can minimize the impact of security incidents on PHI and other critical assets.

Optimize Your Healthcare Data Safeguards

Mapping the NIST Cybersecurity Framework to HIPAA helps simplify your security processes and strengthens protection for PHI.

To ensure full compliance and long-term security, it’s best to work with a trusted HIPAA advisor.

Protect your organization from costly HIPAA violations, download our  HIPAA Checklist today to ensure you’re fully compliant

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