Are you in compliance with GDPR’s compliance regulations? There’s nothing wrong if you’re not since GDPR is an intricate and ever-changing piece of legislation. It all comes down to protecting data. Users have control over their personal information, and their digital data storage is secure. You can learn more about GDPR through other companies, or start with it.
HIPAA is an acronym that should be known to healthcare providers and other businesses who handle personal data. HIPAA is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act in the United States, regulates the disclosure and use of patients’ personal information. GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) is a directive made by the European Union (EU). It is applicable to all companies that process personal data from EU residents. These regulations vary in scope however they share the same purpose of protecting privacy and security.
Important Factors to consider to be HIPAA and GDPR secure
Conformity with HIPAA and GDPR are important for several reasons. It guards sensitive information against misuse, unauthorized disclosure, or misuse. For instance, healthcare organizations deal with sensitive medical information that could lead to fraud or identity theft. Businesses that handle personal information, such as names, addresses and email addresses, are bound by GDPR. This is the case regardless of whether the data is used to aid in fraud, identity theft, or for phishing.
Additionally, compliance with these regulations is legally mandatory. HIPAA regulations are applicable to healthcare providers, healthcare plans as well as healthcare clearinghouses. HIPAA violations can result in criminal and civil penalties and damage to the reputation of health providers. Every business that processes personal data from EU residents are subject to GDPR regardless of where they’re situated. Non-compliance can result in hefty penalties and legal actions.
Additionally, compliance with these laws can help to create trust among customers and patients. Patients and customers expect their personal information will be treated with care and in a respectful manner. Being in compliance with HIPAA or GDPR rules shows that the business is serious regarding security and privacy concerns for data.
HIPAA Compliance and GDPR: The Key Requirements
There are many rules within HIPAA and GDPR regulations that businesses need to be aware of. HIPAA covers covered entities that need to protect electronic protected health information (ePHI) from unauthorised access, use, disclosure, or destruction. This requires implementing administrative technical and physical safeguards that secure ePHI against any unauthorized access to, use or disclosure. In case of potential security breaches or incidents that could compromise security, all covered entities must have policies and procedures in put.
GDPR requires that individuals give explicit consent to businesses collecting and processing their personal data. The consent must be granted without ambiguity, freely written, in writing, and specific. The GDPR also demands that businesses allow individuals to inspect, rectify and delete their personal information. To ensure the security of personal data businesses should take appropriate organizational and technical measures.
HIPAA Compliance and GDPR Compliance: Best practices
To ensure compliance to HIPAA and GDPR regulations, businesses should adopt best practices to ensure the security and privacy of personal data. Some best practices include:
Risk assessments should be conducted regularly: Businesses need to evaluate regularly the risks to the confidentiality, integrity and accessibility of personal information. This helps to identify potential vulnerabilities and ensure that the appropriate security measures are in the place.
Access controls only authorized employees must be granted access to personal data. It is possible to use strong passwords such as multifactor authentication and access controls that are built on the principle of least privilege.
Employees who train: Regular training should be given to employees about data privacy. This can help prevent accidental or intentional data violations.
Implementing incident response plans: Businesses should be prepared for dealing with any security issues or breaches that could occur. This includes identifying a reaction group, establishing communication protocols and conducting regular drills.
If you are a business that processes personal data, HIPAA Compliance and GDPR Compliance is essential. These regulations safeguard sensitive data from unauthorised access, disclosure and misuse. They also demonstrate a commitment to data privacy and security. Companies can adhere to these rules by implementing best practices like performing risk assessments, setting up access controls, educating employees, or implementing plan for response to an incident.
For more information, click GDPR compliance