Because the Director of the Workplace for Civil Rights (OCR) on the U.S. Division of Well being and Human Providers (HHS), I’m happy with my crew’s work in the direction of growing cybersecurity consciousness final month, and actually, each month. OCR enforces the Well being Insurance coverage Portability and Accountability Act’s (HIPAA) Privateness, Safety, and Enforcement Guidelines to guard people’ well being data non-public and safe.

To maintain people’ protected well being data protected, a corporation should have sturdy cybersecurity measures. When a HIPAA regulated entity understands and has good cybersecurity practices in place, this lowers the danger of protected well being data turning into compromised. To advertise these good practices, OCR affords assets to the general public and lined entities that tackle trending cybersecurity subjects. Though sturdy cybersecurity habits needs to be year-round, OCR celebrated October’s Cybersecurity Consciousness Month with gusto within the following methods:

• Useful resource Paperwork on Telehealth: OCR issued two useful resource paperwork to advertise cybersecurity in telehealth for various audiences.
• Publication on Sanctions Insurance policies: OCR steadily publishes Cybersecurity Newsletters to maintain the general public knowledgeable of probably the most up-to-date cybersecurity subjects. In October, OCR put out a e-newsletter on “How Sanction Insurance policies Can Assist HIPAA Compliance”. A corporation’s sanction insurance policies will be an necessary device for supporting accountability and enhancing cybersecurity and information safety. The e-newsletter relayed what the capabilities, the content material, and execution of what such a coverage may appear to be.
• Movies on Defending Towards Cyber-Assaults: OCR launched two movies, in English and Spanish, on the HIPAA Safety Rule and the way it may help regulated entities defend towards cyber-attacks. The movies focus on actual world cyber-attack tendencies, primarily based on OCR’s expertise with its breach stories and enforcement, together with methods to detect and mitigate frequent cyber-attacks.
• Settlements: OCR introduced its first ever settlement regarding a ransomware assault. Ransomware is a sort of malware (malicious software program) designed to disclaim entry to a consumer’s information, normally by encrypting the info with a key recognized solely to the hacker who deployed the malware, till a ransom is paid. This settlement with a enterprise affiliate highlights how ransomware assaults are more and more frequent and focusing on the well being care system. 
• Webinar on Danger Evaluation: To cap off Cybersecurity Consciousness Month, OCR hosted a webinar titled “The HIPAA Safety Rule Danger Evaluation Requirement”, to an viewers of over 4,000 registrants. A danger evaluation is a key and needed step for efficient cybersecurity and HIPAA Safety Rule compliance. This webinar mentioned what’s required to conduct an correct and thorough danger evaluation to protected well being data.
• Cybersecurity Coaching: All through October, OCR’s eight regional workplaces performed cybersecurity coaching for big hospitals, small medical suppliers, enterprise associates, state well being departments, and state social service businesses to help them in complying with their cybersecurity obligations within the face of fixing hostile threats.

We encourage your efforts to maintain your group in compliance with HIPAA, and a part of that effort is having sturdy cybersecurity measures. Keep tuned for future OCR bulletins in help of HIPAA and cybersecurity, and please make use of our free cybersecurity assets.

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