Reflecting on Cybersecurity Consciousness Month

Because the Director of the Workplace for Civil Rights (OCR) on the U.S. Division of Well being and Human Companies (HHS), I’m pleased with my crew’s work in the direction of rising cybersecurity consciousness final month, and in reality, 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 personal and safe.

To maintain people’ protected well being data protected, a corporation will need to have sturdy cybersecurity measures. When a HIPAA regulated entity understands and has good cybersecurity practices in place, this lowers the chance of protected well being data turning into compromised. To advertise these good practices, OCR affords sources to the general public and lined entities that handle trending cybersecurity matters. Though sturdy cybersecurity habits must 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.
• E-newsletter on Sanctions Insurance policies: OCR incessantly publishes Cybersecurity Newsletters to maintain the general public knowledgeable of essentially the most up-to-date cybersecurity matters. In October, OCR put out a publication on “How Sanction Insurance policies Can Assist HIPAA Compliance”. A corporation’s sanction insurance policies will be an necessary software for supporting accountability and enhancing cybersecurity and information safety. The publication relayed what the features, 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 in opposition to cyber-attacks. The movies talk about actual world cyber-attack tendencies, primarily based on OCR’s expertise with its breach experiences and enforcement, together with methods to detect and mitigate widespread cyber-attacks.
• Settlements: OCR introduced its first ever settlement regarding a ransomware assault. Ransomware is a kind of malware (malicious software program) designed to disclaim entry to a consumer’s information, often by encrypting the information with a key identified 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 widespread and concentrating 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 threat evaluation is a key and essential step for efficient cybersecurity and HIPAA Safety Rule compliance. This webinar mentioned what’s required to conduct an correct and thorough threat evaluation to protected well being data.
• Cybersecurity Coaching: All through October, OCR’s eight regional workplaces performed cybersecurity coaching for giant 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 adjusting 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 assist of HIPAA and cybersecurity, and please make use of our free cybersecurity sources.

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