Case Study: GMI Powers Up Security & Compliance for Arizona Healthcare Center
The Challenge
An Arizona-based healthcare center with 14 state-wide locations came to GMI seeking comprehensive solutions to strengthen the security and compliance of its patient data. Specializing in primary care, mental health, and substance use treatment, the center required a detailed assessment of its HIPAA Security and NIST Cybersecurity compliance status.
THE STRATEGY
In response to the rising number of healthcare data breaches, with an increase of 37.5% reported in 2022 alone, GMI set out to rigorously fortify the healthcare center’s cybersecurity measures.
GMI’S 360-DEGREE APPROACH
GMI initiated the engagement with a thorough HIPAA Security Risk Assessment (SRA) and a NIST Cybersecurity Assessment. These evaluations identified the center’s precise needs and established a roadmap for enhanced data security and regulatory compliance.
FEATURES OF THE GMI SOLUTION
- HIPAA SRA: GMI’s HIPAA SRA provided a
comprehensive analysis of the healthcare center’s
privacy and security practices. Our report offered
valuable insights into the organization’s compliance
status and potential vulnerabilities, emphasizing
electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI)
safeguards.
- IPAA SRA: GMI’s HIPAA SRA provided a comprehensive analysis of the healthcare center’s
privacy and security practices. Our report offered
valuable insights into the organization’s compliance
status and potential vulnerabilities, emphasizing
electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI)
safeguards.
- NIST Cybersecurity Assessment: GMI conducted a meticulous assessment against the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) to evaluate the organization’s cybersecurity status. This approach facilitated the identification of specific strengths and weaknesses, and served as a base for creating a tailored Corrective Action Plan (CAPA)
- ePHI Scenario-Based Risk Assessment: Given the rising need for robust ePHI protection, GMI conducted a scenario-based risk assessment, highlighting potential risk scenarios and suggesting strategies for enhancing data protection measures
- Comprehensive Roadmap for Compliance: GMI collaborated with the healthcare center to build a detailed 1, 2, and 3-year roadmap that included a HIPAA Privacy Rule Assessment, a HIPAA Breach Notification Assessment, and plans for continuous enhancement of the CSF environment.
THE BENEFITS
Our robust suite of assessments empowered the healthcare center with:
- An 85% increase in PHI optics, promoting a keen awareness of emerging risks and their potential impacts
- Tailored Corrective Action Plans for both HIPAA and NIST CSF that reduced their risk by nearly 70% , equipping the center with a precise plan to address and remediate identified deficiencies effectively.
- A comprehensive compliance roadmap, fostering continuous improvement in data security measures that increased patient and provider trust.
CONCLUSION
GMI’s comprehensive assessments enabled the healthcare center to identify, address, and rectify compliance deficiencies. Through the implementation of unique and custom corrective action plans and the development of a roadmap for continuous improvement in data security measures, the center is now well-positioned to safeguard ePHI and continue to deliver high-quality healthcare services securely and confidently. With GMI, the healthcare center is now a strong bulwark against cyber threats, a testament to our commitment to ensuring that organizations stay secure in a world where data breaches have become an unfortunate norm.
