FAQ About Understanding the Basics of Cybersecurity
What is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)?
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal law in the United States that sets national standards for the protection of certain health information. HIPAA applies to covered entities, including healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses, as well as their business associates.
HIPAA includes privacy and security rules that aim to protect individuals' health information, known as protected health information (PHI). The privacy rule sets standards for the use and disclosure of PHI, while the security rule sets standards for the security of electronic PHI (ePHI).
HIPAA requires covered entities to implement administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect PHI and ePHI. This includes implementing access controls, encrypting and decrypting ePHI, conducting risk assessments, and developing policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the law.
HIPAA violations can result in significant financial penalties and damage to an organization's reputation. Covered entities and their business associates must ensure that they have appropriate policies, procedures, and security measures in place to comply with HIPAA and protect PHI and ePHI.
