Privacy: Learn From These Recent HIPAA Breaches

Why This Topic Matters

Portable devices are a common source of exposure for protected health information, so understanding the broad compliance issues discussed here can help healthcare organizations strengthen privacy practices and prepare for HIPAA oversight.

Article Sections

1. Secure Your Computers

   Discusses why computers and other mobile devices are a major privacy concern and introduces the broader safeguard categories used to protect electronic health information.

2. Heed These Physical Safeguards

   Covers physical handling and storage considerations for staff-owned and organization-owned devices, along with general approaches to preventing loss or theft.

3. Technical Safeguards: Start with 2-Factor Authentication

   Summarizes technical protection topics such as access control, authentication, encryption, secure transmission, and malware-related defenses.

4. Focus on Policies, Procedures, Training for Administrative Safeguards

   Addresses policy development, staff education, and internal review activities used to support compliance and identify potential privacy risks.