The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a U.S. federal law designed to protect sensitive patient health information from unauthorized access, breaches, and misuse.
HIPAA enforces strict data privacy and security standards for healthcare providers, insurers, and any organization handling protected health information (PHI), including patient records, medical billing, and electronic health transactions. To ensure compliance, businesses must implement robust data protection measures, access controls, and secure communication methods.
Key Aspects of HIPAA Compliance
- Privacy Rule - Regulates how PHI is collected, used, and shared while ensuring patient rights over their data.
- Security Rule - Requires safeguards to protect electronic PHI (ePHI) through administrative, physical, and technical measures.
- Breach Notification Rule - Mandates that organizations notify affected individuals and authorities in case of a data breach.
- Enforcement Rule - Outlines penalties for non-compliance, which can result in fines and legal action.
HIPAA & Data Encryption
While HIPAA does not explicitly require encryption, it is categorized as an "addressable" safeguard, meaning organizations must either implement encryption or provide a strong alternative method to protect PHI. Best practices recommend encrypting data at rest and in transit using AES-256, TLS, and other industry-standard encryption protocols.