It is important for healthcare professionals to have a secure and compliant way of storing documents, as they are often stored electronically for long periods and are easily lost or stolen.
There are many file storage systems available to use in the health industry; however, HIPAA compliance is a must when choosing a system that patients can access easily and providers can trust. Below are four benefits of choosing a HIPAA compliant file storage system :
About HIPAA Compliant File Storage System
HIPAA Compliant file storage system is an online data storage that has been licensed by the American Health and Human Services (HHS) Sector. The HIPAA Act was established in 1996; it sets forth national principles to safeguard the patients’ medical materials and other health info.
To become HIPAA compliant, a company must undergo a third-party audit, which includes a review of their facilities, policies, procedures, and technical safeguards; this ensures that they meet the requirements set out by HHS to protect patient information.
They Provide Encrypted Protection
The first major benefit of using a HIPAA-compliant file storage system is that it provides encryption to protect your data. Unless your cloud provider offers encrypted data storage, you will need to find either a cloud or file storage system capable of this.
It is often the case with HIPAA compliance that end-to-end encryption is necessary as well – which means even your cloud service provider cannot decrypt and read the information.
You Can Use Even if You Choose to Store Data Locally
Many companies opt for “hybrid cloud storage” these days, where they have data on-site and in the cloud simultaneously. While this is a great way to help prevent data loss from catastrophic failure at your company, it can be tricky to ensure that the two copies of your data are kept synchronized.
If you decide to use HIPAA-compliant file storage systems, you can enable this feature without even using cloud storage providers. This option is fairly simple to set up with some providers, but it may not be standard. Some top cloud backup companies offer HIPAA compliance, so this is a good factor to look for when searching for a provider who can cater to your needs.
They Provide Encrypted Recovery of Data
One of the key features of cloud storage systems is that they allow you to back up and restore your data from any location at any time. These systems also provide a way to securely wipe your data so that even your employees can no longer access it.
This protects not only your company but can also be utilized by HIPAA-regulated healthcare facilities to ensure that patient medical records are secure from unauthorized access.
They Have a Secure Way to Share Data
Finally, you want to be sure that the file storage system you choose from a HIPAA-compliant perspective will also have a way for you to share data securely. One of the key challenges of using cloud technology is how to ensure that only authorized employees can access digital files and that those files cannot be copied or shared outside of your organization without your consent.
HIPAA file sharing provides a secure way for you to share files with others – but make sure to look for the functionality and make sure it works with your chosen system.
Conclusion
If you are considering using a cloud storage system for your organization, it is worth making sure that you choose one that is HIPAA compliant. There is such a wide range of file storage systems available on the market today; it can be difficult to choose one that offers the right combination of features and services for your needs.
