HIPAA RISK ASSESSMENT
What is HIPAA RISK ASSESSMENT?
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Security Rule requires this annual assessment to be in compliance, and for good reason. It evaluates the organizational risk associated with ePHI (electronic Protected Health Information) security, and it informs the prioritization of investments to maximize the reduction of that risk.
While the US Department of Health & Human Services does not spell out a particular methodology for an approved risk assessment, it does provide a clear objective: to identify potential risks and vulnerabilities to the confidentiality, availability and integrity of all PHI that an organization creates, receives, maintains or transmits. Due to the lack of prescriptiveness for the HIPAA Risk Assessment itself, it’s temptingly easy to go with an approach that simply “checks the boxes” and call it good. But with healthcare being a favored target of bad actors chasing lucrative ePHI, and stiff penalties when a breached organization that “Did Not Know” or showed “Willful Neglect” is deemed non-compliant, a more thoughtful approach is the way to go.
WHEN DO I NEED A HIPAA RISK ASSESSMENT?
All medical organizations and their business associates with exposure to ePHI are required to complete an annual HIPAA Risk Assessment. Additionally, risk should be assessed whenever new systems are introduced or other environmental changes may introduce new vulnerabilities.
GMI'S HIPAA RISK ASSESSMENT
Any organization who takes HIPAA seriously would benefit from our approach. Not only will our solution satisfy the HIPAA requirement, but it will deliver a high-value assessment and prioritized guidance as to how to improve ePHI security. Our team draws from deep healthcare industry experience and broad cybersecurity acumen, ensuring a meaningful and high-quality output. With the information provided by our HIPAA Risk Assessment, you can better protect and prepare against costly and reputation-damaging data breaches.
Next Steps
Interested in our HIPAA Risk Assessment? Please contact us.