Compliance Framework
HIPAA Security Rule
National standards for protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic protected health information (ePHI).
Overview
The HIPAA Security Rule establishes safeguards that covered entities and business associates must implement to protect ePHI. Published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the rule organizes requirements into three categories: administrative, physical, and technical safeguards. Each safeguard contains required and addressable implementation specifications. With enforcement through the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and penalties reaching $2.1 million per violation category, HIPAA compliance is both a legal obligation and a business imperative for the healthcare ecosystem.
Who Needs This?
- Hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers (covered entities)
- Health insurance companies and health plans
- Healthcare clearinghouses
- Business associates handling ePHI (SaaS, cloud, IT providers)
- Health tech startups and digital health platforms
Key Benefits
- Avoid costly OCR enforcement actions and penalties
- Build patient and partner trust with demonstrated compliance
- Reduce the risk and impact of healthcare data breaches
- Qualify as a business associate for healthcare customers
- Establish a security foundation that maps to other frameworks
Key Domains
Administrative Safeguards
Policies and procedures for workforce management, risk analysis, contingency planning, and security management processes.
Physical Safeguards
Facility access controls, workstation security, and device and media controls for systems containing ePHI.
Technical Safeguards
Access control, audit controls, integrity controls, authentication, and transmission security for electronic systems.
Organizational Requirements
Business associate agreements, group health plan requirements, and policies governing third-party relationships.
Risk Analysis & Management
The foundational requirement — identify threats, assess vulnerabilities, and implement measures to reduce risk to ePHI.
Breach Notification Rule
Requirements for notifying affected individuals, HHS, and media in the event of an unsecured ePHI breach.
Related Frameworks
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