With all of the new technology that we have access to, many vendors are targeting healthcare with promises of ease of use and the ability to communicate with other healthcare providers. Before you agree to “share” or open your “portal” you must ensure the vendor or service you are going to use actually understands HIPAA and the requirements.
File sharing and cloud computing are here to stay. As we move forward with sharing patient data amongst our peers, you will need to be vigilant with your security.
Here are a few things to review:
Network misconfigurations are very common, review your data flow, including how data is transmitted and stored.
Backup your data!
When access is given to an employee, contractor, or vendor, once the need for access is no longer required, terminate their access credentials immediately.
Although most providers do not think hackers are a problem for them, they are! Your network security is vital and you must use a trained professional to set up your network and your file sharing configuration. If your IT professional does not specialize in network security, then hire a network security auditor to conduct a vulnerability scan after you have implemented your systems. A good vendor will mitigate your risks as they scan your network.
Make sure you have a HIPAA compliant business associate agreement in place.
Review the service agreement. Make sure it includes specific business expectations.
Invest in cyber liability insurance.
File sharing and cloud computing are wonderful tools that can be used in healthcare if setup properly and securely.
For more information on how Aris Medical Solutions can help your organization with HIPAA Compliance and Protecting your Practice call 877.659.2467 or click here to contact us.
“Protecting Organizations through Partnership, Education, and Support”
