Nowadays, data is one of the most crucial features in a variety of sectors. It’s the lifeblood of most businesses, and without it, most sectors wouldn’t be able to develop as quickly as they do now. One industry where data is most important is healthcare. Field organizations are also responsible for managing highly sensitive material.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, was approved by Congress in 1996. This federal statute is in charge of establishing rules to guarantee that private patient information under the care of healthcare institutions is protected.
In the field of healthcare, HIPAA has essentially set the bar for security and privacy. Both patients and the organizations that utilize their profit from it.
HIPAA certification is now required for healthcare organizations and staff to demonstrate that they are capable of handling patient data ethically and safely. It’s critical to obtain this sort of certification, but there are a few strong reasons why your company or employees have yet to do so.
Online Security Threats Are Becoming More Troublesome
The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009 enhanced HIPAA. This broadened HIPAA’s scope, benefiting both patients and the healthcare companies with which they exchange their information.
Because digital security risks are becoming more prevalent and difficult to detect, the law’s expansions are critical. Companies must train and become certified for HIPAA in order to stay up with the rising challenge.
The added information that comes with compliance with HIPAA is critical in protecting patients from a variety of cyber concerns. Because of the quantity of sensitive data they manage, healthcare businesses are frequently targeted by hackers.
On the underground market, data is extremely valuable. Healthcare institutions collect vital data such as names, addresses, and Social Security numbers in addition to key health information. When stolen and sold on the black market, all of these items are profitable.
Comply With The Law
HIPAA is a law, and if you don’t follow it, you’ll face serious consequences. A HIPAA violation occurs when a business violates the act’s requirements. Penalties can vary from fines to license suspensions.
You’ll have the appropriate expertise to grasp what you need to do to comply with the law if you obtain HIPAA-certified. Any healthcare business would hate to have its reputation tarnished by transgressions. Current and prospective patients will find it difficult to place their faith in the organization.
Prevent Employee Error
When it comes to preventing data breaches and other internet issues, digital solutions aren’t always sufficient.
Employee errors are responsible for the bulk of data breaches (approximately 88 percent). This might be because they clicked on a faulty link or were duped by a phishing scheme. Employees who aren’t properly trained might become easy targets for the hacking and data breaches that plague the healthcare business.
HIPAA accreditation demonstrates that the staff of a healthcare institution has been educated in proper internet security and data management. As a result, you’ll need to give extensive training to your personnel. This is critical since your workers are frequently the first line of defense when it comes to protecting your company’s data from data breaches.
The majority of HIPAA certifiers provide sufficient training to staff of healthcare organizations. This is an excellent place to start in terms of providing them with the information and hands-on experience they’ll need to handle patient data as safely and properly as possible. In other words, you’ll be preventing the most common source of data leaks.
Establish Trust With Patients
Last but not least, you must build a relationship of trust with your patients and clients. People are becoming increasingly worried about the data they share and how it is utilized. Most consumers want clear assurance that a healthcare institution is capable of handling the information they divulge before they provide it.
Having a HIPAA certification will help you build trust with your patients and clients right away. The certification itself certifies that your company and its staff have the necessary expertise and training to safeguard the data entrusted to them.
HIPAA certification is much more than just following the rules. It entails ensuring that the organization is properly equipped and trained to safeguard the information given to them by their patients. Obtaining certification is essential for every company’s progress in the business.