Navigating New Healthcare Cybersecurity Regulations: What You Need to Know

With cyber threats evolving rapidly and healthcare systems increasingly reliant on digital infrastructure, protecting patient data is more important than ever. The Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) proposed updates to the HIPAA Security Rule signal a move toward stricter, more proactive security measures—ones that demand immediate attention from healthcare providers and their partners.

In a recent Healthcare IT Today article “Navigating New Healthcare Cybersecurity Regulations: What You Need to Know,” I break down what’s changing and outline key steps organizations should take now to prepare for compliance and strengthen their cybersecurity posture.

What’s Changing?
The proposed regulations introduce mandatory security requirements, eliminate flexible security measures, and place greater accountability on healthcare organizations and their third-party partners. Organizations will need to meet higher security standards, including encryption, multi-factor authentication, and rapid incident response, to avoid compliance risks and operational disruptions.

What You Should Do Now:

• Assess Your Security Posture: Conduct a thorough evaluation of your current security controls to identify gaps against the proposed requirements and prioritize necessary upgrades.
• Strengthen Risk Management Practices: Implement regular risk assessments and scenario planning to quantify potential threats and improve resilience against cyber incidents.
• Update Security Policies & Procedures: Align internal policies with the new regulations, ensuring that encryption, access controls, and incident response protocols are clearly documented and actionable.
• Improve Incident Response & Recovery: Establish a tested recovery plan that enables system restoration within 72 hours to minimize downtime and disruptions.
• Engage Vendors & Partners: Collaborate with third-party providers to ensure they meet the same security requirements, reducing risks introduced through business associates.

For a deeper dive into these regulatory changes and expert recommendations on navigating compliance, read the full article on Healthcare IT Today.

Want to discuss these trends and how they impact your cyber security strategy? Schedule time to speak with an Axio expert today.

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