Are you up to date on GDPR compliance rules? There’s no need to be however, it’s possible to be overwhelmed by the new and complex GDPR legislation. It’s all about protecting data, giving customers control over their personal information as well as ensuring safe storage of any digital data. Learn more about GDPR from other organizations, or start with it.
HIPAA and GDPR are two terms that health care providers and companies that handle personal data should be aware of. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is an US law that governs the disclosure and usage of patients’ health information. GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) is a law issued by the European Union (EU). It applies to all companies processing personal data of EU residents. These regulations vary in scope but share the same goal of protecting personal data privacy and security.
There are many reasons to adhere to GDPR and HIPAA
Many reasons make the compliance with HIPAA/GDPR requirements is vital. It safeguards sensitive information from improper access, disclosure or misuse. For example, healthcare professionals may have sensitive medical information that could be used for medical fraud or identity theft. GDPR applies to businesses handling personal data such as addresses, names, emails addresses, and any other information that could be used for identity theft, scams or phishing.
Second, these regulations must be followed. HIPAA regulations apply to covered entities like healthcare providers, health plans, or even healthcare clearinghouses. HIPAA violations can result in civil and criminal penalties and damage to a healthcare provider’s reputation. The GDPR applies to all businesses that handle the personal data of EU residents regardless of their whereabouts. If you do not comply, you could face heavy fines or legal actions.
These laws are crucial in helping to establish trust between the customers and patients. Patients and clients expect privacy and security when dealing with their personal data. Being in compliance with HIPAA or GDPR rules will show that the company cares regarding data security and privacy.
HIPAA and GDPR Compliance Essential Requirements
There are many rules within HIPAA and GDPR regulations that businesses need to be aware of. In the case of HIPAA covered entities, covered entities must ensure the integrity, confidentiality and availability of electronic protected health information (ePHI). This means that covered entities must implement administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to stop unauthorized access to and disclosure, as well as use or misuse of electronic health information. To address security breaches and incidents, covered organizations should have procedures and policies.
To comply with GDPR, businesses need to get explicit consent from the individual for the processing and collection of their personal data. Consent must be freely provided, specific and informed. It should also not be unclear. The GDPR requires businesses to provide individuals the right to be able to access, rectify or erase their personal data. Companies must also take the essential organizational and technical steps to secure personal data.
HIPAA and GDPR Compliance Best Practices
To ensure compliance to HIPAA and GDPR regulations, businesses must implement best practices that guarantee the security and privacy of personal information. Some best practices include:
Risk assessments should be conducted regularly: Businesses need to evaluate regularly the risks to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of personal information. This will help you identify security weaknesses and establish the proper security measures.
Access controls Only authorized employees are allowed to be able to access personal information. This includes implementing secure passwords, multi-factor authentication, and access controls in accordance with the principle of most privilege.
Training employees: Employees must be educated about privacy concerns for data. This will help to prevent accidental or deliberate data security breaches.
Plan for incident response Plan for incident response: Businesses must have plans to handle potential security breaches as well as incidents. This could involve setting up a response group and communicating regularly with them.
HIPAA and GDPR compliance are essential for businesses that handle personal data. These laws safeguard sensitive information from disclosure by unauthorized persons and misuse and show a commitment to data security and privacy. Businesses can be compliant with the regulations by adopting the best practices such as performing risk assessments, establishing access controls, educating employees, and implementing the plans for responding to incidents.
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