Are you aware of GDPR’s compliance rules? There’s no need to be however, it’s possible to be intimidated by complicated and ever-changing GDPR regulations. It all comes down to security of data. The consumer has control over their personal data and it is safe to store data in the cloud. Learn more about GDPR through other companies or even start by reading about it.
HIPAA and GDPR are two acronyms healthcare providers and businesses that handle personal information must be familiar with. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is a US law that governs the disclosure and use of patient’s personal health information. GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) is a law of the European Union (EU) that applies to all businesses that handle personal data that are the property of EU residents. Although these regulations could have different objectives, they share a common objective: protecting the security and privacy of personal data.
Why HIPAA and GDPR Compliance are Important
The compliance with HIPAA and GDPR are essential for a variety of reasons. First, it safeguards sensitive information from unauthorised access, disclosure, misuse, and alteration. For example, healthcare providers could have sensitive medical records that could be used for medical fraud or identity theft. Businesses that handle personal data, such as addresses, names, email addresses, and other data which could lead to identity fraud, scams or phishing are subject to the GDPR.
They are legally and legally binding. HIPAA regulations are applicable to health care providers, health plans, or healthcare clearinghouses. HIPAA violations can lead to civil penalties and criminal charges as well as harm to the image of healthcare providers. The GDPR applies to all companies that handle personal data of EU residents, regardless of their location. If you do not comply, you could face severe penalties, and possibly legal actions.
These laws are crucial in helping create trust between customers and patients. Patients and customers expect privacy and security when dealing with their personal data. Conforming to HIPAA or GDPR rules will prove that the business cares regarding data security and privacy.
HIPAA and GDPR Compliance Essential Requirements
HIPAA and GDPR regulations include various requirements that businesses need to be aware of. HIPAA requires that covered entities protect the integrity, confidentiality access, security, and confidentiality of protected health information stored electronically (ePHI). This involves implementing physical technical and administrative safeguards that protect ePHI from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. To deal with security breaches and incidents, covered entities should have procedures and policies.
GDPR requires that individuals give explicit consent to companies collecting and processing personal data. Consent must be granted freely, unambiguously written down and precise. The GDPR requires that businesses allow individuals to access, rectify , and erase their personal information. Businesses must also implement appropriate organizational and technical measures to protect the security and confidentiality of personal information.
HIPAA Compliance as well as GDPR Compliance: Best practices
Businesses should follow the best practices to ensure compliance with HIPAA/GDPR rules. Some best practices include:
Conducting risk assessments: Businesses need to evaluate regularly the risks in the security, integrity and accessibility of personal information. This can help identify potential issues and ensure that appropriate security measures are in place.
Implementing access controls: Organizations must restrict access to personal information to individuals who have been authorized. This may include strong passwords as well as multi-factor authentication. Access controls should be based on the lowest privilege.
Training employees: Regularly scheduled training should be offered to employees on privacy issues. This can prevent accidental and intentional data leaks.
Implementing plans for responding to incidents: Businesses should be prepared to deal with the possibility of security breaches and security incidents. This could include the identification of a response team and establishing protocols for communication and conducting regular drills.
Organizations that handle personal data must comply with HIPAA compliance and GDPR. The regulations were created to safeguard sensitive data from improper access, disclosure or misuse. They also display the importance of data privacy and security. Through implementing best practices such as conducting risk assessments as well as implementing access controls or training for employees, as well as implementing incident response plans, businesses can ensure compliance with these regulations and safeguard their data
For more information, click HIPAA Compliance News and Advice