10 steps to HIPAA security Compliance

• Date: November 04, 2009
• Source: www.aafp.org

HIPAA – Health Insurance Probability and Accountability Act was enacted to protect the health insurance for workers and their families when they change or lose their jobs. Protecting patient’s health records becomes important for medical practitioners. In this age modern technology, this becomes all the more critical. Technology is susceptible to various risks of exposure and data security calls for significant investment. The ensuing article details 10 steps for understanding the gaps and how to get compliant for better data security.

The 10 steps that can help for better compliance are:

• Understand why computer security is important
• Make certain your colleagues and staff take security as seriously as you do
• Catalog all the information system components that interact with protected health information in your office
• Prepare for disaster before it occurs
• Make sure your network and communications safeguards are intact and robust
• Be certain you have anti-virus software and keep it up-to-date
• Understand what encryption will do and when it is necessary
• Consider chains of trust and your business relationships
• Demand that your vendors fully understand the HIPAA security standards
• Star with a plan – and the end – in mind