Earlier this year, Change Healthcare, a major healthcare technology provider, experienced a massive breach that is estimated to have exposed the personal information of 1 in 3 Americans. What caused the breach? In part, it happened because of compromised credentials.
One weak password is all it takes to put patient data at risk in your healthcare practice. Hackers access these passwords through phishing scams, brunt force attacks, and social engineering efforts designed to manipulate victims into sharing private information. Once a password has been compromised, an attacker can move laterally through the system to escalate privileges and access sensitive data.
Healthcare organizations have an added layer of responsibility to protect the sensitive information of their patients. And that’s why every provider needs password management.
Why Password Management is Essential for Healthcare
In an industry where trust and confidentiality are paramount, ensuring that password security meets HIPAA standards is non-negotiable. HIPAA compliance isn’t just a regulatory obligation—it’s a core component of maintaining patient trust and safeguarding sensitive health information.
HIPAA requirements for healthcare providers include a security rule that protects the confidentiality and integrity of protected health information (PHI). In addition to risk analysis, physical safeguards, and administrative safeguards, the security rule stipulates four technical safeguards for PHI:
- Access Control – Healthcare providers must ensure that only authorized personnel can access protected information.
- Audit Controls – Regular records and audits must be implemented to monitor who accesses PHI and what they do.
- Integrity Controls – Organizations must implement procedures, including electronic measures, to prevent alteration or destruction of PHI.
- Transmission Security – PHI must be encrypted and protected when transmitted electronically, including by email and over the Internet.
But even with all the meticulous measures healthcare practices routinely take to protect patient information, the healthcare industry still experienced more than 700 data breaches in 2023 alone. The key to protecting this data and remaining compliant with HIPAA requirements is to lock down access so that hackers can’t gain entry in the first place.
Password management serves as the frontline defense against data breaches and cyber threats. By enforcing password policies and keeping passwords secure, a password management solution ensures that your electronic health records (EHRs) can only be accessed by authorized personnel.
How Does Password Management Help You Comply With HIPAA?
Password management protects patient PHI by restricting access to electronic health records (EHRs) and reducing vulnerabilities such as weak passwords, password reuse, and human error.
A password management solution helps healthcare providers meet HIPAA requirements and address the challenges of manual password tracking. With a password manager, employees can create and store passwords, share them securely, and avoid the risks of weak passwords and improper password storage.
Here are four ways a password manager helps healthcare providers boost security and simplify compliance:
- Password Generation and Storage – A password manager automatically generates strong, unique passwords for each system and user. This eliminates password reuse, a common unsafe practice that makes it easier for threat actors to gain access.
- Access Control and Least Privilege – Using least privilege principles, a password manager restricts access to necessary systems based on each user’s role. This minimizes the risk of unauthorized access by centralizing user access management.
- Audit Trails and Monitoring – Password managers create a detailed audit trail for each user by logging password use and access attempts in real time.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Integration – MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring an additional identifier such as a code sent to text or email. This prevents unauthorized access to patient records even if a password is compromised.
Ramp Up Security with CyberFOX
As cyber threats continue to evolve, effective password management significantly reduces risk and makes it easier to comply with HIPAA requirements. At CyberFOX, we make password management easy with industry-leading protection and advanced security measures.
Contact us today to see our solutions in action!