By Robert Hudock, on November 29th, 2009
Print This PostThis article discusses techniques for implementing the updated requirements of the HIPAA Security Rule, with particular focus on strategies for assessing the effectiveness of implemented security controls to support compliance and audit, as well as a covered entity’s (or business associate) overarching risk management program in the context of HIPAA Compliance. Covered entities are becoming more pro-active in monitoring their business associate compliance with HIPAA privacy and security regulations and the recent changes largely the product of the HITECH Act. In the past I have used a series of questions to ascertain the compliance status of business associates to comply with HIPAA privacy and security rules. I find it useful to map security controls to NIST Special Publication 800-53. The National Institute of Standards and Technology has collaborated with the military and intelligence communities to produce the first set of security controls for all government information systems, including national security systems. The controls are included in the final version of Special Publication 800-53, Revision 3 “Recommended Security Controls for Federal Information Systems and Organizations,” released in August of 2009. (Available at http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/800-53-Rev3/sp800-53-rev3-final.pdf). [...]
Business Associate and Covered Entity HIPAA Compliance -- Auditing Questions and NIST 800-53 Security Controls.
This article discusses techniques for implementing the updated requirements of the HIPAA Security Rule, with particular focus on strategies for assessing the effectiveness of implemented security controls to support compliance and audit, as well as a covered entity’s (or business associate) overarching risk management program in the context of HIPAA Compliance. Covered entities are becoming more pro-active in monitoring their business associate compliance with HIPAA privacy and security regulations and the recent changes largely the product of the HITECH Act. In the past I have used a series of questions to ascertain the compliance status of business associates to comply with HIPAA privacy and security rules. I find it useful to map security controls to NIST Special Publication 800-53. The National Institute of Standards and Technology has collaborated with the military and intelligence communities to produce the first set of security controls for all government information systems, including national security systems. The controls are included in the final version of Special Publication 800-53, Revision 3 “Recommended Security Controls for Federal Information Systems and Organizations,” released in August of 2009. (Available at http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/800-53-Rev3/sp800-53-rev3-final.pdf). [...]