Are you in compliance with GDPR’s compliance rules? It’s not required but it’s not impossible to be intimidated by the complex and changing GDPR legislation. It all comes down to protecting data. Customers are in control of their personal data and it is safe to store data in the cloud. You may be just starting with GDPR or seeking to understand more about what it requires from companies worldwide.
HIPAA is an acronym that should be known to healthcare providers and other businesses that handle personal information. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is a US law that regulates the use and disclosure of personal health information. GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), is a regulation made by the European Union (EU). It applies to all companies which handle personal data from EU residents. While the regulations might differ in their scope however, they have a common goal: protecting the privacy and security of personal information.
Why HIPAA and GDPR compliance are important
Respecting HIPAA and GDPR are crucial due to a variety of reasons. It protects sensitive data against unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse. Healthcare providers, for instance, could have sensitive medical records that could be used to commit medical fraud and identity theft. GDPR applies to businesses handling personal data such as addresses, names, email addresses, as well as other data that could be used to aid in identity theft, scams, or phishing.
Second, these regulations must be followed. HIPAA regulations apply to covered organizations like health care providers, health plans as well as healthcare clearinghouses. HIPAA violations can lead to criminal and civil penalties in addition to damage to the image of health providers. Similar to GDPR, it is applicable to all companies handling personal information of EU residents regardless of their place of operation. If you do not comply, you could face severe penalties and even legal action.
These regulations are vital in helping create trust between customers and patients. Patients and clients expect their personal data will be treated in a safe manner and with respect. Compliance with HIPAA regulations and GDPR regulations will show that a company is committed to data privacy and security and is committed to safeguarding personal data.
HIPAA and GDPR Compliance Important Requirements
There are many requirements in HIPAA and GDPR regulations that businesses have be aware of. HIPAA mandates that covered organizations ensure the security, integrity, availability, and confidentiality of protected health information stored electronically (ePHI). This means implementing administrative, physical and technical safeguards to ensure that ePHI is protected from any unauthorized access to, use, or disclosure. To deal with security breaches and incidents, covered entities should have procedures and policies.
GDPR mandates that people give explicit consent to companies collecting and processing their personal information. Consent must be freely granted, specific and informed. It shouldn’t be vague. The GDPR mandates that businesses allow individuals to access, rectify and delete their personal information. The business must also adopt suitable organizational and technical measures to ensure the security and confidentiality of personal data.
HIPAA Compliance and GDPR Compliance: Best practices
To be in compliance to HIPAA and GDPR regulations, companies must implement best practices that guarantee the privacy and security of personal data. A few best practices are:
Examining the risks: Businesses must conduct periodic risk assessments to determine the security, integrity, or accessibility of personal data. This will help to identify possible issues and ensure that appropriate security measures are in place.
Set up access controls The only authorized individuals should be able to access personal information. This may include the use of strong passwords, multi-factor authentication and access controls based on the principle of least privilege.
Training employees: Employees should receive regular education on security and privacy of data. This will help prevent accidental and intentional data leaks.
Incident response strategies should be developed by organizations to handle security breaches and incidents. This may include selecting a response group as well as establishing protocols for communication and regularly conducting exercises.
If you are a business that processes personal information, HIPAA Compliance and GDPR Compliance are crucial. These laws safeguard sensitive information from disclosure by unauthorized persons and misuse and show the commitment to data security and privacy. Companies can adhere to these laws by following best practices , such as conducting risk assessments, establishing access controls, training employees, and implementing emergency response plans.
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