Guidance to Render Unsecured Protected Health Information Unusable, Unreadable, or Indecipherable to Unauthorized Individuals
Protected
health information (PHI) is rendered unusable, unreadable, or
indecipherable to unauthorized individuals if one or more of the
following applies:
- Electronic PHI has been encrypted as specified in the HIPAA
Security Rule by “the use of an algorithmic process to transform data
into a form in which there is a low probability of assigning meaning
without use of a confidential process or key” (45 CFR 164.304 definition
of encryption) and such confidential process or key that might enable
decryption has not been breached. To avoid a breach of the confidential
process or key, these decryption tools should be stored on a device or
at a location separate from the data they are used to encrypt or
decrypt. The encryption processes identified below have been tested by
the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and judged to
meet this standard.
- Valid encryption processes for data at rest are consistent with NIST Special Publication 800-111, Guide to Storage Encryption Technologies for End User Devices.1
- Valid encryption processes for data in motion are those which comply, as appropriate, with NIST Special Publications 800-52, Guidelines for the Selection and Use of Transport Layer Security (TLS) Implementations; 800-77, Guide to IPsec VPNs; or 800-113, Guide to SSL VPNs, or others which are Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2 validated.
- The media on which the PHI is stored or recorded has been destroyed in one of the following ways:
- Paper, film, or other hard copy media have been shredded or
destroyed such that the PHI cannot be read or otherwise cannot be
reconstructed. Redaction is specifically excluded as a means of data
destruction.
- Electronic media have been cleared, purged, or destroyed consistent with NIST Special Publication 800-88, Guidelines for Media Sanitization such that the PHI cannot be retrieved.
| 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 |
| In today's interconnected world, data breaches are an unfortunate reality. Whether it's a sophisticated cyberattack or a simple human error, the unauthorized access to sensitive information can have devastating consequences for individuals and organizations alike. While prevention is paramount, knowing how to respond effectively in the aftermath of a breach is equally critical. A key aspect of that response is data breach reporting. Why is Data Breach Reporting So Important? Data breach reporting is the process of notifying relevant authorities and affected parties about a security incident that has compromised personal or sensitive data. It's more than just an administrative formality; it's a legal obligation in many jurisdictions and has a profound impact on: Protecting Individuals: Prompt reporting allows affected individuals to take necessary steps to mitigate potential harm, such as changing passwords, monitoring their credit reports, and being vigilant against identity theft.Legal Compliance: Numerous laws and regulations, like ...read more |
| The HIPAA Breach Notification Rule, 45 CFR §§ 164.400-414, requires HIPAA covered entities and their business associates to provide notification following a breach of unsecured protected health information. Similar breach notification provisions implemented and enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), apply to vendors of personal health records and their third party service providers, pursuant to section 13407 of the HITECH Act. ...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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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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