Most healthcare organizations have embraced the numerous benefits of cloud computing as a doc storage platform. The many benefits of the cloud for doc storage platforms include flexibility, cost-efficiency, and scalability. Meanwhile, cloud computing has benefits such as convenience, easy sharing, and simple file storage. There are also some risks related to security, which are abundant enough to escalate 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 primary deciding element is HIPAA-HITECH compliance. Being HIPAA compliant is an absolute necessity in the healthcare sector. 
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 taken the time to compile the top five HIPAA-compliant cloud storage services deemed most popular. These doc 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 remove and review user activity accounts, allow users to access linked devices, and permit two-step verification.
The Dropbox Business version comes out to be $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 made the addition of 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, but Box also permits DICOM files to be securely viewed (DICOM files are for ultrasounds, X-rays, and CT scans) and 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, 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 most significant security practice policies in the field. These security practice policies are most forceful and challenging 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, the healthcare sector increasingly recognizes the advantages of leveraging cloud computing as a document storage platform, citing benefits such as flexibility, cost-efficiency, and scalability. While the convenience, easy sharing, and simplified file storage offered by cloud computing are evident, concerns about security risks have led to the emergence of Cloud Access Security Brokers. The crucial aspect of adhering to industry regulations, particularly HIPAA-HITECH compliance in the healthcare sector, cannot be overstated.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) mandates safeguarding patient information, making encryption a recommended practice. Recognizing the impact of industry regulations on cloud adoption and understanding the essential attributes when selecting a service provider is imperative. These platforms, with their respective features and security measures, underscore the commitment to maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of patient information in compliance with regulatory standards.
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