Free Consultation
- How long does it take to become compliant?
- How much does it cost to become compliant?
- What are the benefits of compliance?
HIPAA compliant hosting is a popular service offered by cloud service providers that allows covered entities and business associates to utilize a hosting environment that meets the standards set forth in the HIPAA Security Rule. When utilizing a HIPAA compliant hosting service, customers can expect features such as access controls, data encryption, operating system security, and segregated servers.
When the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was enacted in 1996, the internet was still in its early stages and healthcare organizations primarily relied on paper records to store patient information. As a result, the legislation was intentionally kept technology-neutral, since it was impossible to anticipate the rapid advancements in technology and IT practices that would take place over the following two decades.Although Web hosting and other cloud services are not explicitly mentioned in the HIPAA text, they are covered by the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules. These rules impose certain restrictions on the use of cloud services when handling protected health information (PHI). Nonetheless, healthcare organizations are not prohibited from moving patient information from secure internal IT environments to public or private cloud platforms. However, in order to comply with HIPAA Rules, the service provider must enter into a business associate agreement and implement stringent safeguards to protect the privacy and security of health information.In summary, HIPAA compliant hosting offers a specialized hosting environment that adheres to the stringent requirements of the HIPAA Security Rule. Despite the absence of explicit mention of cloud services in the HIPAA legislation, healthcare organizations can leverage these services, provided they ensure compliance with HIPAA Rules by selecting trustworthy providers and implementing necessary safeguards.
Healthcare organizations face challenges when choosing a hosting provider because there is no official certification program for HIPAA compliance. While third-party audits and assessments by HIPAA specialists can provide a snapshot of compliance at a specific moment, there is no official body responsible for certifying HIPAA compliance. However, obtaining a third party HIPAA compliance certification demonstrates a vendor's dedication to ensuring their service or company adheres to HIPAA Rules.
These hosting features are crucial for ensuring compliance with HIPAA regulations and maintaining the security and integrity of sensitive healthcare data. 1. A strong firewall and advanced intrusion prevention system 2. encrypted virtual private networks (VPNs) to securely connect to the cloud and access, upload, or download protected health information (PHI) 3. Robust encryption: Data at rest should be encrypted to prevent unauthorized access even when it's not actively being transmitted 4. Strong authentication controls: Multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of protection, ensuring that only authorized individuals can access PHI.5. Event log management: Maintaining a detailed audit trail is crucial for accountability and compliance. Look for hosting providers that offer robust event log management capabilities.6. Reliable data backups and offsite storage: Regular data backups and secure offsite storage are essential for disaster recovery and business continuity. The hosting provider should also provide assistance in data recovery if needed.7. 100% server availability and reliability: Ideally, the hosting provider should offer a service level agreement (SLA) guaranteeing 100% server uptime to minimize downtime and ensure continuous access to PHI.8. Data stored in HIPAA-compliant data centers: The hosting provider should store data in data centers that adhere to HIPAA regulations, ensuring physical security measures are in place.9. Third-party assessments and audits: Hosting providers that have undergone third-party assessments and audits are more likely to be in compliance with HIPAA regulations. Look for companies that have obtained HIPAA/HITECH certifications.10. Business associate agreement (BAA): The hosting provider should be willing to sign a business associate agreement (BAA) that covers all products and services used in connection with PHI. This agreement ensures that the provider recognizes its responsibilities in safeguarding PHI.By carefully considering these essential features, you can choose a HIPAA hosting provider that meets the necessary security and compliance requirements for protecting sensitive healthcare data.
Today's cloud platforms offer exceptional reliability, making it possible for healthcare organizations to lower costs by transferring their databases to the cloud. In doing so, they can benefit from continuous uptime and outstanding performance. Moreover, third-party platform providers handle various security aspects, alleviating the administrative workload associated with database management.
Healthcare organizations that choose to outsource their on-premises data centers can experience significant financial gains while enhancing patient privacy. By opting for HIPAA-compliant data centers, health data is securely stored on powerful servers located off-site, offering uninterrupted accessibility to healthcare providers.
Cloud Service Providers bear the responsibility of ensuring the overall security of the cloud, however, they do not handle security within the cloud. In situations where covered entities operate in a hybrid cloud environment, which includes both a public cloud and on-premises infrastructure, they must take similar precautions to safeguard data as they would in an on-premises computing setup. This includes implementing facility access controls.
You will have full access to all the services offered by the Cloud Service Provider. However, when it comes to creating, processing, or storing ePHI (electronic Protected Health Information), you are only permitted to use services that are specifically mentioned in the Business Associate Agreement. Any violation of this agreement may lead to termination of the agreement by the Cloud Service Provider, thereby denying your organization access to the essential services it relies on for efficient functioning.
WordPress is a widely utilized content management system (CMS) in the healthcare sector for the creation and administration of website content. To ensure compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which safeguards protected health information (PHI), certain privacy and security features must be implemented when a WordPress website interacts with PHI. Additionally, the website must be hosted by a hosting company that abides by HIPAA regulations.
Healthcare organizations have options beyond storing patient data on site. Cloud storage platforms provide a secure alternative that meets HIPAA regulations. These platforms offer comparable security to on-premises servers but at a significantly lower cost. HIPAA-compliant cloud storage services ensure complete data protection, employing robust access controls and encryption measures to safeguard data at rest and during transmission to and from the storage server.
When disaster strikes, it is crucial to swiftly restore systems and regain access to important data. Hosting providers provide various data backup and disaster recovery services to safeguard cloud workloads and ensure seamless data recovery.
Quick & Simple
Whether you need to meet and maintain your compliance requirements, help your clients meet them, or verify supplier compliance we have the expertise and solution for you
