Most healthcare organizations have embraced the numerous benefits of cloud computing as a doc storage platform. Among many, the benefits include its flexibility, cost-efficiency, and scalability. While cloud computing gives the benefit of convenient, easy sharing, and simple file storage, the risks related to security are abundant enough to bring an escalation to the Cloud Access Security Broker category.
Nonetheless, it is vital to comprehend how industry regulations and procedures can impact cloud adoption before employing a solution. Not just that, it is imperative to realize the necessary attributes when choosing a service provider for your cloud storage needs. In the healthcare sector, the major deciding element is HIPAA-HITECH compliance.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) will not suggest specific tools or methods to protect your data. However, encryption is encouraged to be used as a regular practice.
Why Does HIPAA Apply To Cloud Storage?
HIPAA was passed in 1996 to guard the confidentiality and discretion of complex patient information. Protected entities under this act include healthcare policies, healthcare establishments, and specific kinds of healthcare providers. The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) included a notification obligation. Covered business associates and entities must inform OCR when a breach of unsafe PHI affects above 500 individuals.
We have compiled the top five HIPAA-compliant cloud storage services deemed most popular. These document storage platforms can also be a great way to handle your bookkeeping obligations.
Dropbox (Business)
In November 2015, Dropbox approved the HIPAA and HITECH Act submission. Now, the company offers BAAs (Business Associate Agreements) to their Dropbox business clients. Organizational controls take into account the removal and review of user activity accounts and user access linked devices and permit two-step verification.
The Dropbox Business version costs $12.50 per user per month. It provides file recovery, unlimited storage, system alerts, innovative collaboration tools, granular permissions, and Office 365 incorporation.
Box
Box added HIPAA/HITECH compliance in 2013. Since then, Box has enthusiastically promoted itself to the healthcare sector and customers. BAAs are offered for enterprise versions. The various features are granular file approvals, access monitoring, audits, and reporting trails for content and users.
Box integrations also offer Google, Salesforce, DocuSign, and Office 365. Not only that, Box also permits DICOM files to be securely viewed (DICOM files are for ultrasounds, X-rays, and CT scans) as well as securely sharing information by a direct messaging procedure.
Google Drive
Another doc storage platform is Google Drive. Google provides a BAA for their customers of Google Apps for Work. Apps consist of Forms, Slides, Sheets and Docs, and many other facilities like Gmail. Organizational controls take account of file-sharing consents, audits, app activity and account activity tracking.
Microsoft OneDrive
Microsoft has also supported HIPAA/HITECH by providing BAAs for their enterprise cloud computing services. Microsoft has some of the greatest security practice policies in the field. These security practice policies are most forceful and tough at the Enterprise E5 level. It will cost about $35 per month per user.
Carbonite
Carbonite offers BAAs for their Office customers. Safety measures include offsite standby for disaster retrieval and compliance with the MDSR (Massachusetts Data Security Regulation). The company declares that it is extensively acknowledged and recognized as the best rigorous data security in the entire country.
Conclusion
In conclusion, integrating cloud computing in healthcare organizations offers unparalleled flexibility, cost-efficiency, and scalability. However, the critical consideration of security risks necessitates the emergence of the Cloud Access Security Broker category. Understanding industry regulations, especially HIPAA-HITECH compliance, is paramount when choosing cloud storage providers. HIPAA, enacted in 1996, aims to safeguard patient information, making encryption a recommended practice. Choosing the right service provider becomes crucial for healthcare organizations, ensuring the confidentiality and discretion of sensitive patient data in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
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