Are you aware of GDPR’s compliance rules? It’s okay if you’re not but GDPR is a complex and constantly changing piece of legislation. It’s all about data protection. The consumer has control over their personal data and any data stored in digital format is safe. It is possible to learn more about GDPR through other companies, or start with it.
HIPAA is an acronym that should be known to healthcare providers and businesses that handle personal information. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), is an US law that regulates the disclosure and use of patient’s personal health information. GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) is a directive from the European Union (EU) that covers all businesses that handle personal information of EU residents. These regulations have different scopes but they all have the same aim of protecting security and privacy.
Important Motives for being HIPAA and GDPR in compliance
Compliance with HIPAA and GDPR is vital for a variety of reasons. It first protects sensitive information from unauthorized access or disclosure, misuse and modification. Healthcare organizations, for instance deal with sensitive medical data which could be used to commit identity theft or medical fraud. Businesses that handle personal data, such as names, addresses, email addresses and any other information which could lead to identity theft, scams or phishing, are subject to the GDPR.
The regulations are legally binding. HIPAA regulations are applicable to covered organizations like health insurance companies, healthcare providers as well as healthcare clearinghouses. HIPAA violations can result in criminal and civil penalties in addition to damage to the image of health providers. Similarly, GDPR applies to all businesses that handle personal data of EU residents regardless of the company’s location. Infractions can lead to hefty penalties and legal actions.
These rules are essential in helping build trust between clients and patients. Patients and customers expect their personal information to be handled with care and privacy. Compliance with HIPAA and GDPR regulations could be a sign that a business takes security and privacy of data seriously and is committed to safeguarding personal information.
HIPAA and GDPR Compliance – Essential Requirements
Businesses should be aware that HIPAA regulations as well as GDPR regulations are brimming with obligations. HIPAA requires that covered entities protect the integrity, confidentiality, availability, and confidentiality of electronic protected health information (ePHI). This means implementing administrative, physical and technological safeguards that secure ePHI against unauthorized access to, use, or disclosure. To address security breaches and other incidents, covered entities need to have policies and procedures.
GDPR requires that individuals give explicit consent to businesses collecting and processing personal data. The consent must be granted clearly, completely, in writing and in a specific manner. GDPR also requires companies to provide individuals with the right to request access, correct, and erase their personal data. Additionally, companies must take the necessary technical and organizational steps to ensure the security of personal information.
HIPAA Compliance and GDPR Compliance: Best practices
To ensure compliance with HIPAA and GDPR regulations, businesses should implement best practices that ensure the security and privacy of personal data. Here are some of the best practices:
Risk assessments must be conducted regularly by businesses to assess the risks to privacy, integrity, security as well as security of personal information. This can help you recognize weaknesses and implement the proper security measures.
Implementing access controls: Businesses should restrict access to personal information to only authorized personnel. This includes implementing secure passwords, multi-factor authentication and access controls based on the principle of the least privilege.
Training employees: Regular training should be given to employees about data privacy. This will help to prevent accidental or intentional data breaches.
Implementing plans for responding to incidents: Businesses should have plans in place for dealing with possible security breaches and incidents. This might include setting up a response group and communicating regularly with them.
HIPAA and GDPR compliance are essential for businesses handling personal data. These regulations help protect sensitive data from unauthorised access, disclosure and misuse. They also demonstrate the company’s commitment to security and privacy of data. By following best practices including conducting risk assessments, implementing access controls in training employees, and creating incident response plans, businesses can ensure compliance with these laws and safeguard their data
For more information, click HIPAA and GDPR compliance
