HIPAA Security Assessment

Your EHR Vendor Says You Need a Security Risk Assessment

The Problem

Healthcare practices must comply with the HIPAA Security Rule to protect patient health information (PHI). But most small practices struggle to understand what compliance actually requires.

You are facing:

  1. EHR vendors demand security risk assessments: Your electronic health record system requires annual security risk assessments, but you do not know how to conduct one.
  2. Cyber insurance applications ask HIPAA questions: Insurers want proof you have implemented technical safeguards, administrative policies, and physical security.
  3. OCR audit risk: The Office for Civil Rights can audit any covered entity. Lack of documentation results in fines starting at $50,000.
  4. Breach notification requirements: If PHI is compromised, you must notify patients, OCR, and potentially the media. Penalties range from $100 to $50,000 per violation.

The real problem: You have been told you are HIPAA compliant because you signed a Business Associate Agreement, but you have never assessed your actual security controls or documented required policies.

The Solution

HIPAA Security Rule Assessment & Implementation

We assess your practice against all required HIPAA Security Rule safeguards, implement missing controls, and create audit-ready documentation for OCR reviews and insurance applications.

Security Risk Assessment

Evaluate all administrative, physical, and technical safeguards required by HIPAA. Identify where PHI is created, received, maintained, or transmitted. Document current controls and gaps.

Technical Safeguards

Implement access controls, audit logging, encryption for PHI at rest and in transit, automatic logoff, authentication mechanisms.

Administrative Safeguards

Create required policies: security management, workforce training, incident response, contingency planning, business associate agreements.

Physical Safeguards

Assess facility access controls, workstation security, device and media controls. Document physical security measures.

What HIPAA Security Rule Requires

Access Controls

Implement unique user IDs, emergency access procedures, automatic logoff, encryption and decryption of ePHI.

Audit Controls

Record and examine activity in systems that contain or use ePHI. Maintain audit logs for review.

Integrity Controls

Protect ePHI from improper alteration or destruction. Implement mechanisms to authenticate ePHI has not been changed.

Transmission Security

Protect ePHI transmitted over electronic networks. Implement encryption for email, file transfers, remote access.

Security Risk Assessment (Required)

Conduct an accurate and thorough assessment of potential risks to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of ePHI. Must be documented and updated regularly.

Real Client Example:

Medical practice in Poughkeepsie with 8 providers. Applied for cyber insurance, denied due to inadequate HIPAA controls. No documented security risk assessment, PHI not encrypted on laptops, no audit logging, no incident response plan. Conducted comprehensive HIPAA Security Rule assessment, implemented encryption, configured audit logging, created required policies and training program, documented security risk assessment. Reapplied for cyber insurance with evidence package. Approved at competitive rates. Passed subsequent EHR vendor security audit with zero findings.

Who This Is For

HIPAA Security Rule applies to:

  • Medical practices (physicians, dentists, chiropractors, therapists)
  • Hospitals and health systems
  • Health plans
  • Healthcare clearinghouses
  • Business associates (billing companies, IT vendors, cloud providers handling PHI)

Deliverables

  • Documented Security Risk Assessment (required by HIPAA)
  • Gap analysis showing current vs. required safeguards
  • Prioritized remediation plan
  • Required policies and procedures
  • Staff training materials
  • Audit-ready documentation for OCR reviews
  • Evidence package for cyber insurance applications

Book a HIPAA Security Assessment

We will evaluate your practice against all HIPAA Security Rule requirements, identify gaps, and provide a clear implementation plan.

Book Assessment Call