Data Security in Healthcare Industry Shows Strength Through Cloud Computing

Since the advent of the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and the more recent Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009, healthcare providers have worked to create effective and creative solutions to oblige new regulatory compliance requirements. The proliferation of electronic medical records systems gives hope to security and compliance success.

Fierce Markets recently published an article explaining how cloud computing-based EMR systems may have advantages over traditional, in-house storage practices and technology. According to the source, healthcare providers have increasingly turned to the cloud-based solutions to keep up with policies such as HIPAA compliance and encryption regulations, and many have seen success.

Some studies show EMR and emails are often less likely to be encrypted when handled entirely internally compared to the rate at which private EMR systems providers execute this practice, the website reports. To ensure a successful partnership with EMR and email security solutions providers, healthcare officials need to carefully analyze each prospective vendor, the source adds.

According to the American Medical Association, HIPAA compliance violations can cost helathcare providers up to $1.5 million in penalties annually, while the maximum penalty per occurrence is $50,000.

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