What Is the HIPAA Security Rule and Why Is It Important?

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What Is the HIPAA Security Rule and Why Is It Important?
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There are many rules, regulations, and laws businesses have to follow, and schools, hospitals, hotels, and corporations often have their own individualized set of standards they must follow. As such, many businesses likely come across the HIPAA Security Rule or just, "The Security Rule," as it's known among many professionals.

The HIPAA Security Rule helps to establish patient protections when it comes to the transfer of their health information. We will break down what this rule is and why it's important for businesses. 

The HIPAA Security Rule

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) was passed to develop regulations to protect the privacy and security of health information. As no prior general regulations were put in place prior to 1996, the Security Rule was established to protect individuals and their health information while improving technologies that benefit patient care, from quality to proficiency.

As the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) states, "The Security Rule applies to health plans, health care clearinghouses, and to any health care provider who transmits health information in electronic form in connection with a transaction for which the Secretary of HHS has adopted standards under HIPAA (the "covered entities") and their business associates."

If your business revolves around the medical field in any way, then we encourage you to read more about the HIPAA Security Rule to see what standards and regulations you need to meet.

The importance of the HIPAA Security Rule

The Security Rule maps out rules that covered entities must abide by (via HHS):

  • Ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of all e-PHI they create, receive, maintain or transmit;

  • Identify and protect against reasonably anticipated threats to the security or integrity of the information;

  • Protect against reasonably anticipated, impermissible uses or disclosures; and

  • Ensure compliance by their workforce.

It's important that workforces adhere to these rules to ensure the safety and privacy of their patients/customers while meeting all guidelines and practices.

Without these guidelines, no general regulations would be set and companies/corporations could set their own guidelines, whether they fully protect their patients' rights or not. These general guidelines ensure patients are protected no matter where they seek services relating to industries that have to abide by the HIPAA Security Rule.

If you have any questions about the HIPAA Security Rule, such as if it relates to your business, then we encourage you to click on the HHS link mentioned above to see all of the details.

For example, if your company needs a surveillance system, then it's important to purchase a hipaa compliant security system. After all, "If a covered entity knows of an activity or practice of the business associate that constitutes a material breach or violation of the business associate's obligation, the covered entity must take reasonable steps to cure the breach or end the violation" (via HHS). 

It's a company's responsibility to make sure all codes, regulations, and rules are being met. While an all-in-one hybrid cloud security system is beneficial for hospitals, hotels, hospitality, and other industries for many different reasons, the HIPAA Security Rule is still in effect.

With more and more services and information being placed online and with more cyberattacks taking place, it's essential for companies to follow all regulations to ensure the protection and safety of people's personal information.

Data is king because it allows companies to better assist customers and meet the needs of these customers, but in the wrong hands, data can be used for harmful purposes that aren't advantageous to everyone.

Rules and regulations help to establish and enforce standards. They also help to protect individuals and corporations alike.

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