Financial and data compliance and security are essentials for every organization, and System and Organization Controls (SOC) reports are an integral part of data compliance, financial regulations, and audits. There are two types of SOC reports: SOC 1 and SOC 2.
For 2025, IT Service Management (ITSM) is set to evolve significantly with technology-driven advancements.
We have already seen that Artificial Intelligence (AI) — such as ChatGPT — and similar tools have made an impact this year, and we expect that trend to continue in 2025.
Data retention is a critical part of compliance in the healthcare industry, and HIPAA retention requirements play an important role in how long sensitive patient data is stored, as do states' individual data protection laws.
Healthcare organizations need to protect sensitive patient information. One way to do this is by performing a HIPAA Risk Assessment. This assessment helps you find system weaknesses that could lead to data breaches or compliance problems.
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) like ChatGPT becomes more integrated into healthcare, it promises to enhance efficiency, streamline administrative tasks, and improve patient engagement.
In 2014, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) created a Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) that guides organizations in their journey towards developing secure computer systems. It sets a flexible foundation that all businesses can follow and sculpt to their needs. For this reason, it is extremely successful and is employed by a large number of organizations.
One of the most important regulations in healthcare is the US Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Within that are Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) between healthcare organizations and professionals and third-party suppliers, vendors, and non-medical professionals.
Understanding the intricacies of healthcare data and its protection is crucial in today's digital age. Among the most critical concepts in the realm of healthcare compliance is personal health information or anything that is personally identifiable information such as a person's name or phone number. When linked to health data, they can reveal sensitive information about an individual.
When it comes to Protected Health Information (PHI), healthcare providers and organizations can never be too safe. The repercussions for lost, stolen or manipulated data could cost you large sums of money, a tarnished reputation, and even jail time. According to data shared by HIPAA Journal, there were 339 healthcare data breaches of 500 or more records reported to the Department of Health and Human Services' Office for Civil Rights (OCR) Between January 1, 2023, and June 30, 2023.
We live in a hyper-connected society. Almost everyone we know has a cell phone, tablet, or computer — maybe all and more. These devices are designed to make our day-to-day activities more efficient and enjoyable. While healthcare is rarely an enjoyable experience, there are always means that can be used to make it more comfortable. One of those solutions comes with improved technology that allows patients and providers to communicate and share data with speed and ease. The most common way improved communication occurs between both parties is through personal electronic devices, like smartphones. Although this sounds like a great idea, it has not exactly taken off. This is mainly because HIPAA still applies.
