Are you aware of GDPR compliance regulations? It’s not necessary to be but it’s not impossible to feel intimidated by the new and complex GDPR legislation. It all comes down to protecting data. Customers have control over their personal information and the digital data storage is secure. It doesn’t matter if are only beginning to grasp GDPR, or want to learn more about the rules for businesses across the globe.
HIPAA is an acronym that should be familiar to healthcare professionals and companies 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 law adopted by the European Union (EU). It applies to all companies that process personal data of EU residents. The regulations are different in scope but all share the same objective of protecting personal data privacy and security.
There are many reasons to adhere to GDPR and HIPAA
Many reasons make compliance with HIPAA/GDPR is important. First, it protects confidential data from unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse. For instance, healthcare organizations handle sensitive medical information that could lead to fraud or identity theft. GDPR is applicable to companies handling personal information such as names, addresses, email addresses, and other information that could be used to aid in identity theft, scams, or fraud.
They are legally legal and binding. HIPAA regulations apply to healthcare professionals, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses. Violating HIPAA regulations can result in civil or criminal penalties, and damage to a healthcare provider’s reputation. All businesses that process personal information from EU residents are subject to GDPR, regardless of where they’re situated. If you fail to comply, you could face hefty fines and legal action.
Additionally, compliance with these rules can help build trust with patients and clients. Patients and customers expect privacy and security when dealing with their personal data. In compliance with HIPAA regulations as well as GDPR regulations can show that a company is committed to security and privacy of data and is dedicated to protecting personal information.
HIPAA Compliance and GDPR Compliance: Essential Requirements
The business community should be aware of the fact that HIPAA regulations and GDPR regulations have many regulations. In the case of HIPAA covered entities, covered entities must protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic protected health information (ePHI). This means that covered organizations must establish administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to prevent unauthorized access or disclosure or misuse of the information. In the event of security breaches or incidents that could compromise security, all covered entities must have policies and procedures in the place.
Businesses must seek explicit consent from individuals to process and collect their personal data in accordance with GDPR. Consent should be freely given in a specific and clear manner. The consent must not be unclear. The GDPR requires businesses to allow individuals to access, rectify and erase their personal data. The business must also adopt appropriate measures in terms of technology and organization to ensure the security and privacy of personal data.
HIPAA Compliance and GDPR Compliance: Best practices
To be in compliance to HIPAA and GDPR regulations, companies must follow best practices to ensure the security and privacy of personal data. Here are some best methods:
Assessing the risks: Companies should conduct regular risk assessments in order to determine the integrity, security or availability of personal information. This can help identify potential weaknesses and help implement appropriate security measures.
Implementing access control: Businesses must restrict access to personal data to those who are authorized. You can use strong passwords or multifactor authentication as well as access controls that are designed around the principle of least privilege.
Training employees: Employees should receive regular training on data privacy and security. This could help avoid accidental or deliberate data security breaches.
Implementing incident response plans Companies should have plans in place to handle potential security incidents and breaches. This means identifying a response group, establishing protocols for communication and conducting regular exercises.
The companies that handle personal data must comply with HIPAA compliance as well as GDPR. These laws safeguard sensitive information from disclosure by unauthorized persons and misuse and show an interest in data security and privacy. Businesses can comply with these laws by following best practices like performing risk assessments, establishing access controls, educating employees, or implementing plan for response to an incident.
For more information, click HIPAA Compliance News and Advice