
Previously on this blog, we discussed what HIPAA is and how certain ERPs can help you maintain HIPAA compliance. But you don’t have to use a specific ERP to meet compliance mandates. You can also achieve HIPAA compliance with IT support and cybersecurity protections.
And thank goodness for that right now.
Considering that the latest proposed HIPAA changes from January 1, 2025, include new and much more stringent cybersecurity requirements, many U.S. healthcare organizations are currently searching for a better way to stay HIPAA compliant.
We’re here to help. In this article, we’ll talk about what the proposed changes are, how managed IT services for healthcare can help, and what your organization can do to prepare.
What Are the Latest Requirements for HIPAA?
Many of the latest proposed changes to HIPAA specifically focus on cybersecurity. This is because quite a few medical organizations have been found to be non-compliant with cybersecurity specifications in previous audits, as healthcare-related cybercrime continues to rise.
Under the new changes, organizations would be required to, among other things:
- Generate a technology asset inventory and network map
- Identify all reasonably anticipated threats and vulnerabilities and assess the risk level for each
- Develop written procedures for restoring data within 72 hours
- Enforce multi-factor authentication
- Set up anti-malware protection and patch management procedures
- Safeguard all computers, mobiles, tablets, and other portable devices
- Segment networks and disable unused network ports
Organizations would also be required to meet updated timelines for:
- Security Rule compliance audits — every 12 months
- Reviews and tests of security measures — every 12 months
- Penetration tests — every 12 months
- Verifying business associate cybersecurity — every 12 months
- Vulnerability scans — every 6 months
Please note that these updates have not yet taken effect officially. The comment window for the proposed changes closed on March 7, 2025. The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is currently reviewing comments and making changes.
At the same time, the OCR is continuing to petition Congress to increase the civil monetary penalties for HIPAA violations, which currently range from $100 per violation to $50,000 per violation, and up to 10 years in prison.
How IT Support for Healthcare Can Help You Stay HIPAA Compliant
Worried? Don’t be. It’s easy to meet HIPAA compliance with the right IT support, even with all these new proposed changes. All you have to do is work with an IT managed services provider (MSP) who understands your needs in healthcare and takes care of all the details for you.
Here at SWK Technologies, our expert engineers and consultants have helped various clients throughout the medical industry meet compliance. Many of the new, updated regulations required for HIPAA are practices we’ve enforced for years, because we’re committed to providing rock-solid cybersecurity for our customers.
For example:
- Technology asset inventory & network map
One of the first things we do for our healthcare clients is generate a complete network map. After all, we can only secure what we know about, and that makes us want to know about everything. We also create a complete asset inventory, which tracks the lifecycle and security for each of your IT assets.
- ID threats & vulnerabilities
Our 24-hour, fully staffed Security Operations Center (SOC) proactively identifies and mitigates risks and vulnerabilities in real timeacross our clients’ networks. This enables us to catch and address threats before they become a liability, including isolated potentially infected components before attacks can spread.
- Written procedures for restoring data
Our Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR) service develops and can provide clear, written procedures for what your organization should do in the event of an emergency, such as a cyber attack or natural disaster. Our comprehensive backups can help restore your systems quickly after an event.
- Multi-factor authentication, antivirus, anti-malware, patch management & other additional solutions are available to provide comprehensive device security
Of course, we set up antivirus, anti-malware, and multi-factor authentication protocols that encompass all your data, regardless of the device it’s accessed on. We also apply timely patching and software updates without disrupting your workday. Additionally, we provide Endpoint Detection and Response backed up by our SOC, which unobtrusively secures your employees’ personal devices, allowing them to access business data from anywhere without compromising your cybersecurity.
- Testing, securing, and re–testing
As for network segmentation and security, as well as all the timeline-based requirements in the new, updated HIPAA regulations, we’ve got you covered. Since we’ve spent more than a decade protecting our clients’ IT networks, it’s become second nature to us to perform regular security audits, penetration tests, and vulnerability assessments. Additionally, we are SOC 2 certified, which demonstrates the highest levels of security protection for a business associate.
Make HIPAA Compliance an IT Priority — Starting Now
As we mentioned earlier, these new HIPAA regulations have not yet taken effect. However, there’s no reason for you to wait to secure your IT. Healthcare cybercrime is a significant issue — and one you do not want to fall prey to.
When you work with an experienced healthcare IT support provider like SWK Technologies, you will not only become HIPAA compliant, you will also gain true peace of mind knowing that your healthcare IT systems are protected around the clock, no matter what happens.