Although HIPAA has been in existence for many years, its policies have changed considerably. The Office of Civil Rights has announced they will deliver further changes in 2017, most notably increasing the amount of audits and modernizing HIPAA. These changes will require businesses to alter their IT security services to remain compliant. Here are some details on the changes you can expect to witness this year.
Increased Audits
Expect a broader range of candidates to be identified for HIPAA audits in 2017. If your company has never been audited before, there’s a much better chance it will happen this year. While you shouldn’t panic, you may want to consider reaching out to an IT consulting group to ensure your compliance practices meet HIPAA requirements. If you are notified about an upcoming audit, respond quickly and comply as much as possible with all requests by the Office of Civil Rights.
Cloud-Computing Concerns
With the increase of companies using the cloud to store sensitive data, there will be a greater focus on this area in 2017. When companies look for IT support for small businesses, they usually end up getting cloud storage in some capacity. Even though the cloud has been around for a significant amount of time, it is still considered new technology. With new technology comes bugs and holes that need to be patched. HIPAA compliance policies are changing to incorporate the ever-changing technology, including cloud-computing.
Greater Focus on Cybersecurity Risks
It’s no secret that cybersecurity is a big issue in business today. When it comes to the healthcare industry, a hacker could potentially obtain thousands of patients’ sensitive and confidential information in a matter of minutes. Because of this, businesses will have to show more proof of their comprehensive cybersecurity practices.
When you have the best IT security services in place, you shouldn’t have to worry too much about not being HIPAA compliant. However, companies have to ensure they are proactive in keeping cybersecurity software up to date and are conducting thorough testing on a regular basis to identify any issues.
The best thing to do in 2017 is to reach out to IT consulting services to ensure HIPAA compliance. Peace of mind goes a long way in helping businesses be more efficient and avoid a potential security nightmare. Be sure to contact us for help in any of these areas.
