Administrative Requirements and Burden of Proof

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 sanctions against workforce members who do not comply with these policies and procedures.



...read more



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 ...read more



...read more



In today's digital landscape, data breaches are an unfortunate reality that businesses of all sizes must contend with. A single security lapse can lead to significant financial losses, reputational damage, and legal headaches. While prevention is paramount, having a clear and well-defined data breach reporting procedure is crucial for minimizing the fallout when the inevitable happens. This article will guide you through the essential steps your business needs to take. Why a Solid Breach Reporting Procedure is Non-Negotiable Data breaches are not just a concern for large corporations; they affect small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) just as much, if not more so. A robust reporting procedure serves multiple critical purposes: Compliance with Regulations: Various data privacy regulations, like GDPR, CCPA, and others, mandate specific reporting timelines and requirements. Failure to comply can result in hefty fines and legal action.Minimizing Damage: Swift and decisive action can significantly limit the scope ...read more

December 2025
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28293031

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

Blog Archives
November 2022 (11)
January 2025 (3)

Blog Labels
Health Care Data (1)
ePHI Data (1)
Data Breach Notification (6)
Data Breach Reporting (6)