The healthcare industry is ever-growing, and those MSPs who work with that area must make sure to keep up with regulations. There are many regulations, rules, and laws MSPs have to follow, or else they can get themselves in serious trouble.

“Healthcare data is about so much more than just HIPAA. It’s a complicated labyrinth, and most MSPs, unless they specialize in healthcare, don’t have someone on staff that knows all the rules, and this can lead to trouble,” says Jeff Blevins, a healthcare and cybersecurity specialist in Rochester, New York. It is recommended that MSPs regularly check on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) updates surrounding cybersecurity for guidance. If MSPs fail to keep up with healthcare laws, it can cost them major financial damage. The Oklahoma State University Center for Health Services is one example who failed to keep up, thus costing them to pay a huge fine. A data breach in the facility effected more than 275,000 people, adding up to $875,000 in financial penalties.

It is recommended that MSPs implement protocols to ensure HIPPA and PHI remain secure from a breach. Make sure you have the proper email encryption for healthcare matters. PHI should never be sent through unencrypted email.  MSPs must also be aware of remote risk. Health records have been reported to be seen in the background of Zoom meetings, illegally revealing private health information. Also think about possible PHI leaks. Some MSPs with healthcare clients might think their PHI is safe, but there’s always a chance of unknown vulnerabilities that will cause a leak.

MSPs have no option but to keep up with evolving healthcare regulations. If they fail to do so, it can end up being very costly in hefty penalties and hurt an MSPs reputation. It is advised to follow NIST’s cybersecurity updates regarding healthcare to make sure you are aware of the most recent changes in rules and regulations.

Source; SmarterMSP