Watson Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity Compliance

Welcome to the realm of cybersecurity excellence, where compliance and resilience converge to fortify your digital ecosystem. In today's dynamic threat landscape, adhering to robust cybersecurity standards is not just a necessity but a strategic imperative. Whether you are navigating the intricate guidelines of NIST, the healthcare-focused requirements of the HITECH Act, or the stringent privacy and security mandates of HIPAA, our cybersecurity consulting services stand as your beacon of assurance.

Compliance is the cornerstone of a secure digital infrastructure. Our team specializes in guiding organizations through the intricacies of NIST, HITECH Act, and HIPAA standards, ensuring not only adherence but a seamless integration of these guidelines into your operational fabric. From risk assessments to policy development, we provide a comprehensive suite of services to empower you in meeting and exceeding regulatory expectations.

But compliance is just the beginning. To truly safeguard your digital assets, we delve deeper into the art of hardening and securing your environment. By implementing the latest practices and methodologies, we bolster your defenses according to the highest industry standards. Our approach extends beyond compliance checkboxes, focusing on the proactive fortification of your systems against emerging threats.

Join us on a journey where compliance becomes a strategic advantage and cybersecurity isn't just a requirement but a robust shield for your organization. Together, let's navigate the complexities, strengthen your defenses, and ensure a resilient digital future.

Who is HIPAA compliance applicable to?

Electronic protected health information (ePHI) is protected health information (PHI) that is produced, saved, transferred or received in an electronic form. In the United States, ePHI management is covered under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Security Rule.

Protected health information (PHI) is any information in the medical record or designated record set that can be used to identify an individual and that was created, used, or disclosed in the course of providing a health care service such as diagnosis or treatment.

HIPAA is relevant for any business in the healthcare industry, such as dentists, doctors, hospitals, health insurance providers, and research institutions. 

HIPAA extends to: 

Covered entities: Any organization and person that works with patients and their data.

Business associates: Any third-party vendor or subcontractor that receives, creates, or transmits PHI data.

ePHI: Electronic patient data.

Penalties for Non-Compliance 

  • Tier 1: Unaware of HIPAA rules; $100 to $50,000 per violation, with a maximum of $25,000 per year
  • Tier 2: Reasonable cause to believe that the covered entity knew or should have known about HIPAA compliance; $1,000 to $50,000 per violation, with a maximum of $100,000 per year
  • Tier 3: Willful neglect of HIPAA rules, but the violation was corrected within 30 days; $10,000 to $50,000 per violation, with a maximum of $250,000 per year
  • Tier 4: Willful neglect of HIPAA rules, with no effort made to correct the issue within 30 days; $50,000 per violation, with a maximum of $1.5 million per year

Are you compliant?

Examples of how to stay compliant with the these Compliance Standards:

  1. Document all privacy policies and procedures.
  2. Track all disclosures of PHI.
  3. Notify patients about how their PHI will be used.
  4. Provide PHI within 30 days of the patient making a written request.
  5. Get written permission from the patient before sharing or using any PHI.
  6. Know when you can disclose PHI without patient permission, such as to help healthcare providers give treatment or collect a payment, or to assist law enforcement.
  7. When you do disclose PHI, use only the minimum data necessary for your purpose.

Reference Sources