Are you aware of the latest developments regarding GDPR compliance requirements? If not, don’t worry it’s not easy as GDPR is a tangled and ever-changing piece of legislation. It is all about data security. It is about giving customers control over personal information as well as ensuring the safe storage of data. It is possible to learn more about GDPR through other companies or begin by learning about it.
HIPAA is an acronym that is likely to be familiar to healthcare professionals and companies who handle personal data. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is an US law that governs the disclosure and use of health information of patients’ information. GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) is a regulation adopted by the European Union (EU). It applies to all businesses processing personal data of EU residents. The regulations are different in scope but all share the same objective of protecting privacy and security.
Important reasons for being HIPAA and GDPR compliant
For many reasons, compliance with HIPAA/GDPR is essential. It first protects sensitive information from unauthorized access or disclosure, misuse and modification. For instance, healthcare providers handle sensitive medical information that could be used to perpetrate identity theft or fraud. Companies handling personal data such as addresses, names, email addresses and any other information that could lead to identity theft, fraud or phishing is subject to the GDPR.
These regulations are legally legal and binding. HIPAA regulations are applicable to entities that are covered, including healthcare providers, health plans or even healthcare clearinghouses. HIPAA violations could result in civil penalties, criminal charges as well as damage to a healthcare provider’s reputation. Any business that handles personal information of EU residents are bound by GDPR, regardless of where they’re situated. If you do not comply, you could face heavy penalties or legal action.
These regulations are vital in helping to create trust between customers and patients. Patients and customers expect security and privacy when dealing with their personal data. Compliance with HIPAA and GDPR regulations can show that a company values data privacy and security seriously and is dedicated to safeguarding personal information.
HIPAA Compliance and GDPR: The Key Requirements
There are many requirements in HIPAA and GDPR regulations that businesses must to be aware of. HIPAA is a law that covers those covered by the law who must safeguard electronic protected health data (ePHI) from unauthorised access, use, disclosure, or destruction. This involves implementing administrative, physical and technical safeguards to protect ePHI against any unauthorized access to, use or disclosure. Additionally, covered entities need to have policies and procedures that address the possibility of security incidents and breaches.
Businesses must seek explicit consent from individuals to process and collect their personal data under GDPR. The consent must be freely given and must be specific, well-informed, and unambiguous. The GDPR requires businesses to offer individuals the right be able to access, rectify or erase their personal data. To protect personal data companies must implement appropriate measures to protect their organization and technology.
HIPAA and GDPR Compliance Best Practices
Business should employ best practices to protect personal data and ensure compliance with HIPAA regulations. Here are some good practices:
Risk assessments should be conducted regularly: Businesses should be able to regularly assess the risk to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of personal data. This helps to identify potential security issues and ensure appropriate safeguards are in place.
Implementing access controls: Businesses should limit access to personal information to authorized individuals only. You can use strong passwords such as multifactor authentication and access controls built on the principle of least privilege.
Employees in training: Employees should receive regular training on security and privacy of data. This will help prevent accidental and intentional data security breaches.
Incident response plans should be implemented by businesses in order to prevent security breaches as well as incidents. This involves identifying a response group, establishing protocols for communication and performing regular drills.
HIPAA and GDPR compliance is critical for any business handling personal data. These laws help safeguard sensitive data from unauthorised access, disclosure, or misuse, and demonstrate the commitment to the privacy and security of your data. By implementing best practices such as conducting risk assessment, implementing access controls in training employees, and developing incident response strategies to be sure that they are in compliance and secure
For more information, click HIPAA compliance