Fix Vulnerabilities
Think about service providers. If service providers
were involved, examine what personal information they can access and
decide if you need to change their access privileges. Also, ensure your
service providers are taking the necessary steps to make sure another
breach does not occur. If your service providers say they have remedied
vulnerabilities, verify that they really fixed things.
Check your network segmentation. When you set up
your network, you likely segmented it so that a breach on one server or
in one site could not lead to a breach on another server or site. Work
with your forensics experts to analyze whether your segmentation plan
was effective in containing the breach. If you need to make any changes,
do so now.
Work with your forensics experts. Find out if
measures such as encryption were enabled when the breach happened.
Analyze backup or preserved data. Review logs to determine who had
access to the data at the time of the breach. Also, analyze who
currently has access, determine whether that access is needed, and
restrict access if it is not. Verify the types of information
compromised, the number of people affected, and whether you have contact
information for those people. When you get the forensic reports, take
the recommended remedial measures as soon as possible.
Have a communications plan. Create a comprehensive
plan that reaches all affected audiences — employees, customers,
investors, business partners, and other stakeholders. Don’t make
misleading statements about the breach. And don’t withhold key details
that might help consumers protect themselves and their information.
Also, don’t publicly share information that might put consumers at
further risk.
Anticipate questions that people will ask. Then, put
top-tier questions and clear, plain-language answers on your website
where they are easy to find. Good communication up front can limit
customers’ concerns and frustration, saving your company time and money
later.
| Covered entities and business associates, as applicable, have the burden of demonstrating that all required notifications have been provided or that a use or disclosure of unsecured protected health information did not constitute a breach. Thus, with respect to an impermissible use or disclosure, a covered entity (or business associate) should maintain documentation that all required notifications were made, or, alternatively, documentation to demonstrate that notification was not required: (1) its risk assessment demonstrating a low probability that the protected health information has been compromised by the impermissible use or disclosure; or (2) the application of any other exceptions to the definition of “breach.” Covered entities are also required to comply with certain administrative requirements with respect to breach notification. For example, covered entities must have in place written policies and procedures regarding breach notification, must train employees on these policies and procedures, and must develop and apply appropriate ...read more |
| Move quickly to secure your systems and fix vulnerabilities that may have caused the breach. The only thing worse than a data breach is multiple data breaches. Take steps so it doesn’t happen again. Secure physical areas potentially related to the breach. Lock them and change access codes, if needed. Ask your forensics experts and law enforcement when it is reasonable to resume regular operations.Mobilize your breach response team right away to prevent additional data loss. The exact steps to take depend on the nature of the breach and the structure of your business. Assemble a team of experts to conduct a comprehensive breach response. Depending on the size and nature of your company, they may include forensics, legal, information security, information technology, operations, human resources, communications, investor relations, and management. Identify a data forensics team. Consider hiring independent forensic investigators to help you determine the source and scope ...read more |
| Move quickly to secure your systems and fix vulnerabilities that may have caused the breach. The only thing worse than a data breach is multiple data breaches. Take steps so it doesn’t happen again. Secure physical areas potentially related to the breach. Lock them and change access codes, if needed. Ask your forensics experts and law enforcement when it is reasonable to resume regular operations.Mobilize your breach response team right away to prevent additional data loss. The exact steps to take depend on the nature of the breach and the structure of your business. Assemble a team of experts to conduct a comprehensive breach response. Depending on the size and nature of your company, they may include forensics, legal, information security, information technology, operations, human resources, communications, investor relations, and management. Identify a data forensics team. Consider hiring independent forensic investigators to help you determine the source and scope ...read more |
| Following a breach of unsecured protected health information, covered entities must provide notification of the breach to affected individuals, the Secretary, and, in certain circumstances, to the media. In addition, business associates must notify covered entities if a breach occurs at or by the business associate. Individual Notice Covered entities must notify affected individuals following the discovery of a breach of unsecured protected health information. Covered entities must provide this individual notice in written form by first-class mail, or alternatively, by e-mail if the affected individual has agreed to receive such notices electronically. If the covered entity has insufficient or out-of-date contact information for 10 or more individuals, the covered entity must provide substitute individual notice by either posting the notice on the home page of its web site for at least 90 days or by providing the notice in major print or broadcast media where the affected individuals ...read more |
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Blog Home
Newest Blog Entries
1/21/25 Healthcare Data Breaches and Their Devastating Impact
1/21/25 Your Essential Guide to Data Breach Reporting Procedures
1/21/25 Understanding Your Obligations in Data Breach Reporting
11/16/22 Administrative Requirements and Burden of Proof
11/16/22 Notification by a Business Associat
11/16/22 Breach Notification Requirements
11/16/22 Unsecured Protected Health Information and Guidance
11/16/22 Guidance to Render Unsecured Protected Health Information Unusable, Unreadable, or Indecipherable to Unauthorized Individuals
11/16/22 Definition of Breach
11/16/22 Breach Notification Rule
11/16/22 Notify Individuals
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