Cloud storage is a great option for any business that needs to store and share large file types. However, if you handle Electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI), you may need to take HIPAA laws into account.
So, what is the best way to protect your data in “the Cloud”? HIPAA compliant cloud storage could be the right answer. However, you may be wondering… “Is all cloud storage HIPAA complaint?” Keep reading to find out.
Cloud Computing & File Storage…
The benefits of cloud computing are undeniable. It is easy to see why organizations in nearly every industry rely so heavily on this platform to operate daily.
Keeping track of physical papers or flash drives can be cumbersome. These items can be easily lost or damaged. With cloud storage, users can view files and information through an internet connection. As a result, anyone can access these files from anywhere at anytime.
Cloud storage has made managing large scale files more convenient for industry’s everywhere. However, in the healthcare space, there are certain security risks to be aware of.
What is HIPAA Compliant Cloud Storage?
Any HIPAA Covered Entity (CE) that stores Protected Health Information (PHI) on “the Cloud” must maintain HIPAA Compliance. Furthermore, healthcare organizations that handle this information are legally required to implement proper safeguards to keep PHI protected. One of the ways they can keep their data secured is through a HIPAA compliant cloud storage service.
HIPAA compliant cloud storage is very similar to regular cloud storage. Both types of cloud storage host data on an external server. However, the main difference between the two is that HIPAA compliant cloud storage has adjusted its security features to meet HIPAA requirements.
Is All Cloud Storage HIPAA Compliant?
All cloud storage is NOT HIPAA compliant! In fact, there is no official HIPAA certification for data security companies to obtain. This is a common misconception in the healthcare industry.
There is no accredited body or institution that can declare cloud storage services as 100% “HIPAA compliant”. However, a data security company can implement safeguards to make sure their cloud storage services follow HIPAA rules.
A CE is legally required to safeguard the PHI they handle. This includes the PHI stored in the Cloud. HIPAA compliant cloud storage can save you millions in penalty fees and keep you protected from a data breach.
Healthcare organizations that handle their patient’s medical information on a regular basis must comply with HIPAA laws. As such, HIPAA compliant cloud storage is one of the most effective ways to store ePHI securely.
While all cloud-based storage platforms make hosting files far more convenient, they are not all HIPAA compliant. Therefore, choosing a cloud storage provider that takes additional steps to keep your business in compliance with HIPAA law is crucial.
How Can We Ensure that Data Stored in “The Cloud” is Secure?
If you handle ePHI on a regular basis, you must properly safeguard this information. This is especially important if you use cloud computing services to store this data. HIPAA laws require that your cloud storage service provider maintains HIPAA compliance. This will protect your information from a dangerous data breach.
HIPAA compliant storage systems implement specific access controls to ensure that your private information remains secure.
ENCRYPTION…
Data encryption is one of the most effective ways to protect your PHI. This security practice keeps your private information anonymous to unauthorized users. Encryption is not only one of the most common methods of securing data, but also the most successful. In fact, research shows that over 60% of IT professionals said encryption was the most effective way to protect data in, “the Cloud”.
It is password protected, and will remain secured unless a user has the decryption key. With proper safeguards in place, a data breach would be extremely unlikely. However, there is still a slight possibility. During this unlikely event, your files will be utterly useless to a hacker and ultimately remain anonymous.
DNS SECURITY…
DNS security protects your servers from cyberattacks. Your infrastructure should have a top quality defense system against hackers and other kinds of malware.
Organizations can use DNSSEC to maintain the integrity of their DNS. Additionally, it can also mitigate DDOS threats. For instance, our DNS security service at Enterprise Guardian takes security and reliability to the next level.
We operate out of 4 separate data centers in California, New Jersey, Nevada, and Texas. This will ensure a 100% uptime route-ability for your email and website.
NVME FLASH STORAGE…
NVME flash storage is a system used to store and access data. FlashBlade is the fastest, most secure kind of flash storage system available.
This storage platform leads the industry in both agility and usability. It is optimal for organizations that rely on cloud-based system to access their files. As the highest-performing, most reliable file management system of its kind- FlashBlade gives our clients fast and secure access to their private data.
REAL TIME BACKUP…
In the unfortunate ate incident of a data breach, you could potentially lose access to all of your files. This can include highly sensitive medical records!
When patient data falls into a hacker’s hands, a world of issues can ensue. First, your organization could be slammed with heavy fines and penalties for non HIPAA Compliance. What’s even worse… patients could be subject to crimes like fraud and blackmail.
A HIPAA compliant cloud storage system will make and store a copy of all your data in real time. You can now easily recover from a ransomware attack or data breach attempt instantly!
HIPAA Compliant Cloud Storage for Small Business… Invest in Security Today!
Did you know that data breaches are among the most common kinds of cyberattacks? What’s even worse… healthcare organizations are the most heavily targeted industry! That is why complying with HIPAA regulations is so important. These laws implement safeguards to keep patient data as secure as possible.
At Enterprise Guardian, we don’t believe in securing PHI solely for the sake of HIPAA compliance, though. We believe healthcare organizations have an ethical responsibility to maintain the integrity of PHI. That is why we are here to help make that process as easy as possible.
We offer security features like encryption, DNS security, FlashBlade, and real time backup to make file storage easy and secure. If you’d like to find a plan that works for you, visit our pricing page today!