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		<title>PHP2Shell: What Healthcare Practices Need to Know</title>
		<link>https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/php2shell-what-healthcare-practices-need-to-know/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Kim Berardi]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2026 04:00:11 +0000</pubDate>
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					<description><![CDATA[<p>The recent PHP2Shell vulnerabilities highlight a growing cybersecurity concern for healthcare organizations: outdated and overlooked technology can put sensitive patient information and essential operations at risk. Learn how these newly discovered vulnerabilities reinforce the importance of comprehensive HIPAA Security Risk Analysis, timely software updates, and ongoing employee cybersecurity awareness training.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/php2shell-what-healthcare-practices-need-to-know/">PHP2Shell: What Healthcare Practices Need to Know</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com">HIPAA Secure Now!</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-20555 aligncenter" src="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/php2shell-what-healthcare-practices-need-to-know.webp" alt="Healthcare Network Technician at Servers" width="1200" height="675" srcset="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/php2shell-what-healthcare-practices-need-to-know.webp 1200w, https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/php2shell-what-healthcare-practices-need-to-know-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/php2shell-what-healthcare-practices-need-to-know-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/php2shell-what-healthcare-practices-need-to-know-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">A recent cybersecurity threat is a reminder that older or overlooked technology can put patient information and daily operations at risk.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;335559739&quot;:140}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">In October 2026, two serious PHP software vulnerabilities, collectively called PHP2Shell, prompted cybersecurity warnings. PHP (PHP Hypertext Processor) is used behind the scenes in some websites and applications. It is a programming language that helps websites and online applications work behind the scenes. For example, when you submit an appointment request through a website built with PHP, it can process the information you entered and send back a confirmation. Attackers could run malicious code on affected systems without logging in. The original article reports that CISA urged organizations to identify and update vulnerable systems.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;335559739&quot;:140}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The vulnerabilities, identified as </span><b><span data-contrast="auto">CVE-2026-109618</span></b><span data-contrast="auto"> and </span><b><span data-contrast="auto">CVE-2026-109619</span></b><span data-contrast="auto">, were disclosed on October 21, 2026. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) subsequently added both to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on October 26, confirming that attackers were actively exploiting these weaknesses.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}"> </span><span data-contrast="auto">CISA has urged organizations to identify affected PHP installations and apply security updates immediately, prioritizing systems accessible from the internet.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Your practice may use PHP without knowing it. It could be part of a website, patient portal, scheduling tool, billing application, or older administrative system. Not all these systems use PHP or are affected; your IT provider or vendor must determine actual exposure.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;335559739&quot;:140}"> </span></p>
<h2 aria-level="2"><b><span data-contrast="none">Why This Matters for Healthcare</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:200,&quot;335559739&quot;:140}"> </span></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="none">A vulnerable application does not have to be your electronic health record (EHR) to cause trouble. An attack on a connected or administrative system could interrupt scheduling, billing, insurance verification, or patient communication. If electronic protected health information (ePHI) is involved, unauthorized access could also create privacy and security concerns.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;335559739&quot;:140}"> </span></p>
<h2 aria-level="2"><b><span data-contrast="none">The HIPAA Connection</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:200,&quot;335559739&quot;:140}"> </span></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="none">The HIPAA Security Rule requires organizations to assess risks and vulnerabilities to ePHI and implement appropriate safeguards. This includes considering older applications, vendor-managed tools, and other systems that store, transmit, or provide access to ePHI—not just the main EHR.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;335559739&quot;:140}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">A vulnerability scan can identify some technical weaknesses, but it does not replace a comprehensive HIPAA Security Risk Analysis. Identified risks also need to be addressed and documented.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;335559739&quot;:140}"> </span></p>
<h2 aria-level="2"><b><span data-contrast="none">Five Practical Steps for Your Practice</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:200,&quot;335559739&quot;:140}"> </span></h2>
<ul>
<li><b><span data-contrast="none"> Ask IT what systems you use. </span></b><span data-contrast="none">Have your IT provider review websites, servers, portals, older applications, and other tools for potentially affected PHP components.</span></li>
<li><b><span data-contrast="none"> Confirm updates and vendor guidance. </span></b><span data-contrast="none">Ask whether any systems are affected and whether security patches or other protective steps have been completed. Prioritize internet-facing systems.</span></li>
<li><b><span data-contrast="none"> Check for signs of compromise. </span></b><span data-contrast="none">Patching does not undo an earlier attack. Have qualified personnel investigate suspicious activity and follow your incident response process when appropriate.</span></li>
<li><b><span data-contrast="none"> Review your Security Risk Analysis. </span></b><span data-contrast="none">Make sure older systems, third-party applications, and changes to how ePHI is handled are considered. Document risks and corrective actions.</span></li>
<li><b><span data-contrast="none"> Remind employees to report concerns. </span></b><span data-contrast="none">Staff should promptly report unusual system behavior or access requests and obtain approval before using new applications.</span></li>
</ul>
<h2 aria-level="2"></h2>
<h2 aria-level="2"><b><span data-contrast="none">The Bottom Line</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:200,&quot;335559739&quot;:140}"> </span></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="none">The biggest lesson from PHP2Shell is not that every healthcare practice has this vulnerability. It is that organizations need to know what technology they rely on, and who is responsible for keeping it secure. Regular IT reviews, timely updates, a thorough Security Risk Analysis, and employee awareness all help protect patient information and keep care running.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;335559739&quot;:140}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">HIPAA Secure Now helps healthcare organizations strengthen compliance through Security Risk Analysis, employee training, and cybersecurity education.</span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/php2shell-what-healthcare-practices-need-to-know/">PHP2Shell: What Healthcare Practices Need to Know</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com">HIPAA Secure Now!</a>.</p>
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		<title>When Systems Go Down: What the Luminis Health Incident Reminds Us About Preparedness</title>
		<link>https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/when-systems-go-down-what-the-luminis-health-incident-reminds-us-about-preparedness/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Zach Morrison]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 28 Oct 2026 04:00:55 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/?p=20546</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>When critical healthcare systems go offline, patient care doesn't stop, but everyday operations become more challenging. The Luminis Health incident highlights why healthcare organizations need effective downtime procedures, trained employees, and a practical cybersecurity incident response plan. Discover how to prepare your team before an incident occurs.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/when-systems-go-down-what-the-luminis-health-incident-reminds-us-about-preparedness/">When Systems Go Down: What the Luminis Health Incident Reminds Us About Preparedness</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com">HIPAA Secure Now!</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-20548 size-full" src="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/when-systems-go-down-what-the-luminis-health-incident-reminds-us-about-preparedness.webp" alt="HSN When Systems Go Down" width="1200" height="675" srcset="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/when-systems-go-down-what-the-luminis-health-incident-reminds-us-about-preparedness.webp 1200w, https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/when-systems-go-down-what-the-luminis-health-incident-reminds-us-about-preparedness-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/when-systems-go-down-what-the-luminis-health-incident-reminds-us-about-preparedness-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/when-systems-go-down-what-the-luminis-health-incident-reminds-us-about-preparedness-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">A cybersecurity incident doesn’t have to stop patient care to seriously disrupt a healthcare organization.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/luminis-health-sued-alleged-failure-protect-patient-data-cyberattack/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recent Luminis Health incident</a> is a good example:</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">On September 1, Luminis reported that a cybersecurity incident had made certain systems unavailable. Hospitals and care locations remained open, but MyChart and other digital services were affected, some processes took longer, and patients were told they might need to complete paper forms.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">And recovery wasn’t immediate.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Luminis relied on downtime procedures while systems were unavailable. Phone service was restored in stages, MyChart returned later in September, and even after systems were restored, teams were still reconciling and entering documentation from visits that happened during the downtime.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">That’s an important reminder: </span><b><span data-contrast="auto">Cyber incident response isn’t only about getting systems back online.</span></b><span data-contrast="auto"> It’s about keeping the organization functioning while they’re unavailable.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<h2><b><span data-contrast="auto">What Would Your Team Do?</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">If your EHR suddenly went down today:</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Do employees know where to find downtime procedures?</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Can patient care continue using approved processes?</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Does everyone know who to contact?</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Is there a plan for reconciling information once systems return?</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Those are much easier questions to answer before an incident begins.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<h2><b><span data-contrast="auto">Preparedness Has to Work in the Real World</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The Luminis incident shows why healthcare organizations need more than a plan sitting in a file.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Employees need to understand what to do when normal systems aren’t available, and how to keep work moving without creating new privacy or security risks.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Cybersecurity Awareness Month may be ending, but preparedness can’t be seasonal.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">HIPAA Secure Now’s </span><b><span data-contrast="auto">Healthcare Security &amp; Privacy Incident Response Checklist</span></b><span data-contrast="auto"> can help your organization think through the people, processes, and decisions that matter before an incident happens.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><b><span data-contrast="auto">Don’t wait for downtime to find out whether your plan works.</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"><a class="blog-cta-button" href="https://info.hipaasecurenow.com/healthcare-security-privacy-incident-response-checklist" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Download the Healthcare Security &amp; Privacy Incident Response Checklist</strong></a></span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/when-systems-go-down-what-the-luminis-health-incident-reminds-us-about-preparedness/">When Systems Go Down: What the Luminis Health Incident Reminds Us About Preparedness</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com">HIPAA Secure Now!</a>.</p>
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		<title>6 Cybersecurity Questions Healthcare Leaders Should Ask This October</title>
		<link>https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/6-cybersecurity-questions-healthcare-leaders-should-ask-this-october/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Zach Morrison]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2026 04:00:13 +0000</pubDate>
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					<description><![CDATA[<p>Are your organization's cybersecurity fundamentals actually working? This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, healthcare leaders can use six practical questions to evaluate employee readiness, Security Risk Analyses, ePHI protection, MFA, software updates, and ongoing training. Learn how to identify gaps and strengthen cybersecurity habits throughout the year.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/6-cybersecurity-questions-healthcare-leaders-should-ask-this-october/">6 Cybersecurity Questions Healthcare Leaders Should Ask This October</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com">HIPAA Secure Now!</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-20542 size-full" src="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/6-cybersecurity-questions-healthcare-leaders-should-ask-this-october.webp" alt="6 Healthcare Questions" width="1200" height="675" srcset="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/6-cybersecurity-questions-healthcare-leaders-should-ask-this-october.webp 1200w, https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/6-cybersecurity-questions-healthcare-leaders-should-ask-this-october-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/6-cybersecurity-questions-healthcare-leaders-should-ask-this-october-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/6-cybersecurity-questions-healthcare-leaders-should-ask-this-october-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Cybersecurity Awareness Month isn’t only an opportunity to remind employees to watch for phishing emails or protect their passwords.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">It’s also a good time for healthcare leaders to ask a bigger question:</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span><b><span data-contrast="auto">Are the cybersecurity fundamentals actually working across your organization?</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Here are six questions worth asking.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<ol>
<li>
<h3><b><span data-contrast="auto"> Do employees know how to report something suspicious?</span></b></h3>
</li>
</ol>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">If someone receives a suspicious email, unexpected MFA prompt, strange phone call, or notices unusual system activity, do they know exactly what to do?</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><b><span data-contrast="auto">Quick check:</span></b><span data-contrast="auto"> Ask a few employees how they would report a cybersecurity concern. If the answers are different—or they don’t know—you’ve found a gap.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<ol start="2">
<li>
<h3><b><span data-contrast="auto"> Is your Security Risk Analysis current, and are you acting on what it found?</span></b></h3>
</li>
</ol>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Your Security Risk Analysis should reflect the systems, devices, locations, vendors, and workflows your organization uses today.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">But identifying risks is only the first step. Those findings need to lead to action.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><b><span data-contrast="auto">Quick check:</span></b><span data-contrast="auto"> Have you added new technology, vendors, locations, or ways of handling electronic protected health information since your last assessment? Then pick a few risks from your most recent analysis. Can you identify what has been done, who owns the next step, and what still needs attention?</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<ol start="3">
<li>
<h3><b><span data-contrast="auto"> Do you know where your ePHI lives?</span></b></h3>
</li>
</ol>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Electronic protected health information can exist well beyond the EHR.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Think email, mobile devices, cloud applications, file-sharing tools, medical devices, backups, and other systems employees use every day.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><b><span data-contrast="auto">Quick check:</span></b><span data-contrast="auto"> Is there anywhere ePHI is stored, transmitted, or accessed that isn’t reflected in your current documentation?</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<ol start="4">
<li>
<h3><b><span data-contrast="auto"> Are employees prepared for unexpected login requests?</span></b></h3>
</li>
</ol>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Multifactor authentication adds another layer of protection, but employees still need to recognize when something isn’t right.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><b><span data-contrast="auto">Quick check:</span></b><span data-contrast="auto"> Do employees know not to approve an MFA request they didn’t initiate—and how to report it?</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<ol start="5">
<li>
<h3><b><span data-contrast="auto"> Are systems and software being kept current?</span></b></h3>
</li>
</ol>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Unpatched or unsupported technology can create opportunities for attackers.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><b><span data-contrast="auto">Quick check:</span></b><span data-contrast="auto"> Ask whether there are critical updates, known vulnerabilities, or outdated systems that still need attention.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<ol start="6">
<li>
<h3><b><span data-contrast="auto"> Does cybersecurity training continue after annual training is complete?</span></b></h3>
</li>
</ol>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Annual training can establish a foundation. But employees make security decisions all year.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Phishing changes. Social-engineering tactics evolve. People forget.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><b><span data-contrast="auto">Quick check:</span></b><span data-contrast="auto"> What is your organization doing between annual training sessions to keep cybersecurity habits top of mind?</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<h2></h2>
<h2><b><span data-contrast="auto">Cybersecurity Is an Ongoing Practice</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">You don’t need to solve every cybersecurity challenge during October.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">But Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a good reason to ask the questions, identify gaps, and decide what needs attention next.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">And when it comes to your workforce, reinforcement matters.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">HIPAA Secure Now’s </span><b><span data-contrast="auto">PHIshMD Ongoing Training Program</span></b><span data-contrast="auto"> helps healthcare organizations keep cybersecurity top of mind throughout the year with bite-sized training, simulated phishing, and ongoing visibility into employee risk.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Don&#8217;t make cybersecurity a once-a-year conversation.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"><a class="blog-cta-button" href="https://hsnstg.wpengine.com/phishmd/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Click Here to Learn More About PHIsh MD</strong></a></span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/6-cybersecurity-questions-healthcare-leaders-should-ask-this-october/">6 Cybersecurity Questions Healthcare Leaders Should Ask This October</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com">HIPAA Secure Now!</a>.</p>
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		<title>4 Five-Minute Cyber Huddles for Healthcare Teams</title>
		<link>https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/4-five-minute-cyber-huddles-for-healthcare-teams/</link>
					<comments>https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/4-five-minute-cyber-huddles-for-healthcare-teams/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Zach Morrison]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2026 04:00:40 +0000</pubDate>
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					<description><![CDATA[<p>Cybersecurity training doesn't have to mean another lengthy meeting. These four five-minute cyber huddles give healthcare teams practical scenarios to discuss, from suspicious IT requests and unexpected MFA prompts to protecting patient information and responding to EHR downtime. Learn how short conversations can reinforce safer cybersecurity habits throughout the year.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/4-five-minute-cyber-huddles-for-healthcare-teams/">4 Five-Minute Cyber Huddles for Healthcare Teams</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com">HIPAA Secure Now!</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span data-contrast="none"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-20533 size-full" src="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/4-five-minute-cyber-huddles-for-healthcare-teams.webp" alt="Healthcare Huddle" width="1200" height="675" srcset="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/4-five-minute-cyber-huddles-for-healthcare-teams.webp 1200w, https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/4-five-minute-cyber-huddles-for-healthcare-teams-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/4-five-minute-cyber-huddles-for-healthcare-teams-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/4-five-minute-cyber-huddles-for-healthcare-teams-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /></span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Cybersecurity training doesn’t always have to mean another long meeting.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">A five-minute conversation during a staff meeting, morning huddle, or shift change can help employees think through the kinds of situations they may actually face, and reinforce what to do before they’re under pressure.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">For Week 2 of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, here are four quick discussions you can use with your healthcare team.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><b><span data-contrast="none">How to use them:</span></b><span data-contrast="none"> Read the scenario, ask the questions, and close with the takeaway. That’s it.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<h2><b><span data-contrast="none">Huddle 1: The “Urgent” IT Request</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></h2>
<h3><b><span data-contrast="none">The Scenario</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></h3>
<p><span data-contrast="none">You receive a call from someone who says they’re with IT.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">They know your name and where you work. They tell you there’s a security problem with your account and you need to reset your password immediately using a link they send you.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<h3><b><span data-contrast="none">Ask Your Team</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></h3>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">What would make you suspicious?</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">What should you do before following the caller’s instructions?</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">How would you verify that the request is legitimate?</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<h3></h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3><b><span data-contrast="none">The Takeaway</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></h3>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Attackers often create urgency so you’ll act before you have time to question the request.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">If someone unexpectedly asks you to reset a password, change a security setting, provide a code, or take another sensitive action, </span><b><span data-contrast="none">stop and verify the request through a contact or process you already trust.</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><b><span data-contrast="none">The habit:</span></b><span data-contrast="none"> Pause. Verify. Then act.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<pre dir="ltr"></pre>
<div style="width: 80px; height: 3px; background-color: #308c83; margin: 40px auto; border-radius: 3px;"></div>
<h2><b><span data-contrast="none">Huddle 2: The Login You Didn’t Start</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></h2>
<h3><b><span data-contrast="none">The Scenario</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></h3>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Your phone asks you to approve a multifactor authentication request.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">You aren’t logging into anything.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">A few minutes later, another request appears.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<h3><b><span data-contrast="none">Ask Your Team</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></h3>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">What could be happening?</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">Should you approve the request just to make the notifications stop?</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">What should you do next?</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<h3></h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3><b><span data-contrast="none">The Takeaway</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></h3>
<p><span data-contrast="none">An unexpected MFA request can mean someone else is trying to access your account.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><b><span data-contrast="none">Deny the request and report it according to your organization’s procedures.</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Never approve a login you didn’t initiate or share authentication codes with someone who contacts you unexpectedly.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><b><span data-contrast="none">The habit:</span></b><span data-contrast="none"> If you didn’t start it, don’t approve it.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<div style="width: 80px; height: 3px; background-color: #308c83; margin: 40px auto; border-radius: 3px;"></div>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<h2><b><span data-contrast="none">Huddle 3: “Just Text It to Me”</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></h2>
<h3><b><span data-contrast="none">The Scenario</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></h3>
<p><span data-contrast="none">A coworker needs patient information quickly and says:</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><b><span data-contrast="none">“Just text it to my personal phone. It’ll be faster.”</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Everyone is busy, and the request seems harmless.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<h3><b><span data-contrast="none">Ask Your Team</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></h3>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">What should you consider before sending the information?</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">Is convenience enough reason to use a different tool?</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">What should you do if you aren’t sure whether a communication method is approved?</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<h3></h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3><b><span data-contrast="none">The Takeaway</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></h3>
<p><span data-contrast="none">When patient information is involved, the fastest option isn’t always the right one.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Use the tools and processes your organization has approved. If you’re unsure, </span><b><span data-contrast="none">ask before creating your own workaround.</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><b><span data-contrast="none">The habit:</span></b><span data-contrast="none"> Before you send, check where it’s going.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<div style="width: 80px; height: 3px; background-color: #308c83; margin: 40px auto; border-radius: 3px;"></div>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<h2><b><span data-contrast="none">Huddle 4: The EHR Is Down</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></h2>
<h3><b><span data-contrast="none">The Scenario</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></h3>
<p><span data-contrast="none">You arrive at work and can’t access the EHR.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Other employees are having the same problem. Patients are arriving, phones are ringing, and everyone needs to keep working.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<h3><b><span data-contrast="none">Ask Your Team</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></h3>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="4" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">What should you do first?</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="4" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">Do you know where your organization’s downtime procedures are?</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="4" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">What should you avoid doing while systems are unavailable?</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3><b><span data-contrast="none">The Takeaway</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></h3>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Cybersecurity isn’t only about preventing incidents. It’s also about knowing what to do when technology isn’t available.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Follow your organization’s downtime and incident-response procedures rather than creating unapproved workarounds.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><b><span data-contrast="none">The habit:</span></b><span data-contrast="none"> Know the plan before you need it.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<div style="width: 80px; height: 3px; background-color: #308c83; margin: 40px auto; border-radius: 3px;"></div>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<h2><b><span data-contrast="none">Five Minutes Can Reinforce a Habit</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="none">The goal of these conversations isn’t to turn every employee into a cybersecurity expert.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">It’s to make good decisions easier to recognize and repeat.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">That takes more than one annual training session.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">HIPAA Secure Now’s </span><b><span data-contrast="none">PHIshMD Ongoing Training Program</span></b><span data-contrast="none"> helps healthcare organizations reinforce cybersecurity habits throughout the year with weekly bite-sized training, simulated phishing, and ongoing visibility into employee risk.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b><span data-contrast="auto">Keep cybersecurity training going all year.</span></b><br />
<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"><a class="blog-cta-button" href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/phishmd/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Learn More About PHIsh MD Training</strong></a></span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><b><span data-contrast="none">Next week:</span></b><span data-contrast="none"> We’ll turn the focus to healthcare leaders with a practical cybersecurity checkup to help you ask: Are the fundamentals actually working across your organization?</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/4-five-minute-cyber-huddles-for-healthcare-teams/">4 Five-Minute Cyber Huddles for Healthcare Teams</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com">HIPAA Secure Now!</a>.</p>
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		<title>Cybersecurity Awareness Month: 4 Ready-to-Send Messages for Your Healthcare Workforce</title>
		<link>https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/cybersecurity-awareness-month-4-read-to-send-messages/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Zach Morrison]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 07 Oct 2026 04:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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					<description><![CDATA[<p>Cybersecurity Awareness Month is an opportunity for healthcare organizations to revisit the fundamentals. Strong, unique passwords remain one of the simplest ways employees can help protect sensitive information, accounts, and critical systems. </p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/cybersecurity-awareness-month-4-read-to-send-messages/">Cybersecurity Awareness Month: 4 Ready-to-Send Messages for Your Healthcare Workforce</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com">HIPAA Secure Now!</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-20506 size-full" src="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/cybersecurity-awareness-month-protecting-healthcare-starts-with-the-basics.webp" alt="Cybersecurity Awareness Month HSN Password Protection" width="1200" height="675" srcset="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/cybersecurity-awareness-month-protecting-healthcare-starts-with-the-basics.webp 1200w, https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/cybersecurity-awareness-month-protecting-healthcare-starts-with-the-basics-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/cybersecurity-awareness-month-protecting-healthcare-starts-with-the-basics-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/cybersecurity-awareness-month-protecting-healthcare-starts-with-the-basics-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Healthcare employees are being targeted.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Recent reporting from Cybersecurity Dive highlights increased social-engineering activity against healthcare and pharmaceutical organizations. Attackers are using phone calls, phishing sites, and urgent requests to convince employees to reset passwords, change multifactor authentication settings, or give up credentials.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">In fact, Health-ISAC reported that more than a dozen member organizations had been hit by social-engineering attacks in just a few months.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a good opportunity to reinforce a simple idea: employees don’t have to be cybersecurity experts to make it harder for attackers.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">They need to know what to look for, when to slow down, and when to speak up.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">To make that easier, here are four messages healthcare organizations can copy, customize, and share with employees throughout October.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Before sending: Add your organization’s IT/security contact or reporting process where indicated.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<h2><b><span data-contrast="auto">Message 1: Pause. Verify. Then Act.</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></h2>
<h3><b><span data-contrast="auto">Suggested subject: Before you act, take a second look</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></h3>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Cybercriminals are getting better at making their requests look and sound legitimate.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">An email may appear to come from a vendor you know. A caller may claim to be from IT. A message may warn you about an urgent problem with your account.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">That urgency is a reason to slow down.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">If someone unexpectedly asks you to click a link, reset a password, approve a login, provide information, or change a security setting:</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Pause before taking action.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Verify the request using a contact or process you already trust.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Don’t use a phone number or link provided in a suspicious message.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Report anything that doesn’t feel right to your IT/Security or your organization&#8217;s preferred reporting method.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">You don’t have to determine whether something is a cyberattack.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><b><span data-contrast="auto">If something seems unusual, stop and verify.</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<h2><b><span data-contrast="auto">Message 2: Didn’t Start the Login? Don’t Approve It.</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></h2>
<h3><b><span data-contrast="auto">Suggested subject: One easy rule for unexpected login requests</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></h3>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Have you ever received a multifactor authentication (MFA) request when you weren’t trying to log in?</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Don’t approve it just to make it go away.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">An unexpected login or MFA request can mean someone else is trying to access your account.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">If it happens:</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Deny the request.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Never share authentication codes with someone else.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Don’t reset your password or MFA settings because an unexpected caller asks you to.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Report the activity to IT/Security or your organization&#8217;s preferred reporting method.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">MFA adds an important layer of protection, but it still depends on us paying attention.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><b><span data-contrast="auto">If you didn’t start the login, don’t approve it.</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<h2><b><span data-contrast="auto">Message 3: Keep Patient Information Where It Belongs.</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></h2>
<h3><b><span data-contrast="auto">Suggested subject: Before you send it, check where it’s going</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></h3>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Healthcare moves quickly, and sometimes the fastest way to get something done can seem like the easiest option.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">When patient information is involved, take an extra moment.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Before you send, upload, text, or share information, ask yourself:</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Am I using a tool approved by our organization?</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Am I sending this to the right person?</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Does this person need this information?</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Do I need to share all of it?</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">This applies to email, text messages, file-sharing tools, cloud applications, mobile devices, and other technology we use at work.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">If you’re not sure whether a tool or method is approved, check with IT/Security Administrator before using it.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><b><span data-contrast="auto">A quick check can help keep patient information where it belongs.</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<h2><b><span data-contrast="auto">Message 4: See Something? Say Something.</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></h2>
<h3><b><span data-contrast="auto">Suggested subject: You don’t have to be sure before you report it</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></h3>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Something doesn’t seem right.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Maybe you clicked a link and realized afterward that it looked suspicious. You received an unexpected login notification. Someone called asking you to reset your password. Or a system suddenly isn’t behaving normally.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Please tell us.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">You don’t have to investigate it yourself, and you don’t have to be certain it’s a cyberattack before reporting it.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Contact IT/Security Administrator as soon as you notice something unusual.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">And if you clicked something you shouldn’t have? Tell us that too.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The sooner we know, the sooner we can investigate and take action if needed.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><b><span data-contrast="auto">When in doubt, speak up.</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<h2><b><span data-contrast="auto">Keep the Conversation Going All Year</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a great reason to put these conversations front and center. But attackers don’t limit their efforts to October, and cybersecurity training shouldn’t be limited to one annual event.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">HIPAA Secure Now helps healthcare organizations keep cybersecurity and HIPAA top of mind throughout the year with ongoing workforce training designed to reinforce important habits before employees need them.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b><span data-contrast="auto">Build a workforce that keeps learning all year.</span></b><br />
<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"><a class="blog-cta-button" href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/services/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Learn More About HIPAA Secure Now Training</strong></a></span></p>
<p><b><span data-contrast="auto">Next week:</span></b><span data-contrast="auto"> We’ll share five-minute cyber huddles healthcare leaders and managers can use to turn these reminders into quick conversations with their teams.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/cybersecurity-awareness-month-4-read-to-send-messages/">Cybersecurity Awareness Month: 4 Ready-to-Send Messages for Your Healthcare Workforce</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com">HIPAA Secure Now!</a>.</p>
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		<title>Cybersecurity Awareness Month Is Here. Let&#8217;s Put It to Work in Healthcare</title>
		<link>https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/cybersecurity-awareness-month-is-here-lets-put-it-to-work-in-healthcare/</link>
					<comments>https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/cybersecurity-awareness-month-is-here-lets-put-it-to-work-in-healthcare/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Zach Morrison]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 04:00:06 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Backup & Disaster Recovery]]></category>
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					<description><![CDATA[<p>Cybersecurity Awareness Month is an opportunity to turn awareness into action. Throughout October, HIPAA Secure Now is sharing practical resources healthcare organizations can use to strengthen cybersecurity conversations, reinforce safer employee habits, and keep their workforce prepared all year long.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/cybersecurity-awareness-month-is-here-lets-put-it-to-work-in-healthcare/">Cybersecurity Awareness Month Is Here. Let&#8217;s Put It to Work in Healthcare</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com">HIPAA Secure Now!</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-20499 size-full" src="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/cybersecurity-awareness-month-is-here-lets-put-it-to-work-in-healthcare.webp" alt="HSN Cybersecurity Awareness Month Kickoff" width="1200" height="675" srcset="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/cybersecurity-awareness-month-is-here-lets-put-it-to-work-in-healthcare.webp 1200w, https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/cybersecurity-awareness-month-is-here-lets-put-it-to-work-in-healthcare-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/cybersecurity-awareness-month-is-here-lets-put-it-to-work-in-healthcare-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/cybersecurity-awareness-month-is-here-lets-put-it-to-work-in-healthcare-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Cybersecurity Awareness Month starts today, and for healthcare organizations, the timing matters.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Recent warnings from Health-ISAC have highlighted social-engineering attacks targeting healthcare employees through tactics like voice phishing, impersonation websites, and urgent requests to reset passwords or change security settings.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">It’s another reminder that cybersecurity isn’t only about technology.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><b><span data-contrast="auto">It’s also about the decisions people make every day.</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">An unexpected phone call.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">An urgent email.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">A login request.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Patient information that needs to be shared quickly.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">October is a good opportunity to reinforce the habits that help employees make those decisions more securely.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<h2 aria-level="2"><b><span data-contrast="none">We’re making it easier to put Cybersecurity Awareness Month into action.</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:299,&quot;335559739&quot;:299,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Throughout October, HIPAA Secure Now will be sharing practical resources healthcare organizations can use with their teams:</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li><b><span data-contrast="auto">Week 1:</span></b><span data-contrast="auto"> Ready-to-send cybersecurity messages for employees</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></li>
<li><b><span data-contrast="auto">Week 2:</span></b><span data-contrast="auto"> Five-minute cyber huddles for healthcare teams</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></li>
<li><b><span data-contrast="auto">Week 3:</span></b><span data-contrast="auto"> A cybersecurity checkup for healthcare leaders</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></li>
<li><b><span data-contrast="auto">Week 4:</span></b><span data-contrast="auto"> Incident response and downtime preparedness</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">No complicated campaign. Just useful ideas and resources you can put to work.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Cybersecurity Awareness Month may last 31 days, but the habits we reinforce now should last all year.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><b><span data-contrast="auto">Follow along throughout October for practical ways to keep cybersecurity conversations going with your workforce.</span></b></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/cybersecurity-awareness-month-is-here-lets-put-it-to-work-in-healthcare/">Cybersecurity Awareness Month Is Here. Let&#8217;s Put It to Work in Healthcare</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com">HIPAA Secure Now!</a>.</p>
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		<title>When an Incident Happens, Will Your HIPAA Response Plan Actually Work?</title>
		<link>https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/when-an-incident-happens-will-your-hipaa-response-plan-actually-work/</link>
					<comments>https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/when-an-incident-happens-will-your-hipaa-response-plan-actually-work/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Kim Berardi]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2026 04:00:21 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Backup & Disaster Recovery]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Client News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare Industry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HIPAA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HIPAA Audits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HIPAA Violations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Policies and Procedures]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Risk Assessment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Security]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Security Reminders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Security Training]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[featured]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://hsnstg.wpengine.com/?p=20483</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Having an incident response or disaster recovery plan is only the beginning. Proposed HIPAA Security Rule changes could introduce more specific requirements for response planning, testing, and restoring critical systems. Learn why healthcare organizations should use this time to make sure their plans actually work.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/when-an-incident-happens-will-your-hipaa-response-plan-actually-work/">When an Incident Happens, Will Your HIPAA Response Plan Actually Work?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com">HIPAA Secure Now!</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span data-contrast="auto"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-20491 size-full" src="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/when-an-incident-happens-will-your-hipaa-response-plan-actually-work.webp" alt="HSN Incident Response and Disaster Recovery" width="1200" height="675" srcset="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/when-an-incident-happens-will-your-hipaa-response-plan-actually-work.webp 1200w, https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/when-an-incident-happens-will-your-hipaa-response-plan-actually-work-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/when-an-incident-happens-will-your-hipaa-response-plan-actually-work-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/when-an-incident-happens-will-your-hipaa-response-plan-actually-work-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /></span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Most healthcare organizations hope they never have to put their incident response or disaster recovery plans into action.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">But hope is not a recovery strategy.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">When a cyberattack, system outage, natural disaster, or other disruption occurs, the middle of an incident is not the time to discover that responsibilities are unclear, backups cannot be restored quickly, or critical systems were never prioritized.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">That is one of the important themes behind the proposed changes to the HIPAA Security Rule. If finalized, the proposal would establish more specific expectations around how covered entities and business associates prepare for security incidents, respond when they occur, and restore critical systems afterward.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The bigger takeaway for healthcare organizations is simple: having a plan on paper may no longer be enough. Organizations need to know whether that plan actually works.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<h2 aria-level="2"><b><span data-contrast="none">Incident Response: From Having a Policy to Being Prepared</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:299,&quot;335559739&quot;:299}"> </span></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Under the </span><b><span data-contrast="auto">current HIPAA Security Rule</span></b><span data-contrast="auto">, organizations must have policies and procedures for identifying and responding to suspected or known security incidents, mitigating harmful effects when possible, and documenting incidents and their outcomes.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The </span><b><span data-contrast="auto">proposed HIPAA Security Rule</span></b><span data-contrast="auto"> would add more specific requirements around that process, including a written Security Incident Response Plan outlining how workforce members report suspected or known incidents and how the organization responds.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">It would also establish more detailed expectations around testing and revising those plans.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">That distinction matters.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">A written incident response plan can identify who should be contacted and what steps should be taken. Testing that plan helps determine whether employees know what to do, whether responsibilities are clear, and whether the process can work under the pressure of a real incident.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"><a class="blog-cta-button" href="https://info.hipaasecurenow.com/healthcare-security-privacy-incident-response-checklist" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Download Your Complimentary Incident Response Checklist</strong></a></span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2 aria-level="2"><b><span data-contrast="none">Disaster Recovery: What Needs to Come Back First?</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:299,&quot;335559739&quot;:299}"> </span></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Incident response focuses on what happens when a security incident occurs. Disaster recovery asks another critical question: </span><b><span data-contrast="auto">How quickly can your organization get back to normal operations?</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The </span><b><span data-contrast="auto">current Security Rule</span></b><span data-contrast="auto"> requires a contingency plan that addresses areas such as backing up ePHI, restoring lost data, and continuing critical processes during an emergency.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The </span><b><span data-contrast="auto">proposed rule </span></b><span data-contrast="auto">would make some of those expectations more specific: </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">If finalized as proposed, organizations would need to establish written procedures for restoring certain critical electronic information systems and data within specified timeframes, including a proposed 72-hour restoration requirement for certain critical systems and data.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Organizations would also need to analyze the criticality of their systems and technology assets. In practical terms, that means understanding which systems the organization depends on most and determining what needs to be restored first.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">For a healthcare organization, that exercise can extend beyond compliance. If several systems become unavailable at the same time, leaders should already know which ones are essential to patient care, operations, and the protection of ePHI.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<h2 aria-level="2"><b><span data-contrast="none">A Plan You Have Never Tested Is Still an Unknown</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:299,&quot;335559739&quot;:299}"> </span></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">It is easy to think of incident response and disaster recovery as documents that live inside a compliance program. Their real value becomes apparent when something goes wrong.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><i><span data-contrast="auto">Can employees recognize and report a potential security incident? </span></i><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><i><span data-contrast="auto">Does everyone know who is responsible for responding?</span></i><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><i><span data-contrast="auto">Can your organization restore critical data from its backups? </span></i><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><i><span data-contrast="auto">Does your IT provider understand which systems need to be prioritized? </span></i><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><i><span data-contrast="auto">Have you actually tested any of it?</span></i><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Those are valuable questions regardless of what ultimately happens with the proposed HIPAA Security Rule.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The proposed changes are not final, and current HIPAA requirements remain in effect. But healthcare organizations can use this time to review their incident response and disaster recovery processes, identify gaps, coordinate with their IT providers, and test whether their plans work as expected.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Because when an incident happens, the most valuable plan is not the one sitting in a binder.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><b><span data-contrast="auto">It is the one your organization is prepared to execute.</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/when-an-incident-happens-will-your-hipaa-response-plan-actually-work/">When an Incident Happens, Will Your HIPAA Response Plan Actually Work?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com">HIPAA Secure Now!</a>.</p>
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		<title>HIPAA Workforce Security: What Could Change?</title>
		<link>https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/hipaa-workforce-security-what-could-change/</link>
					<comments>https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/hipaa-workforce-security-what-could-change/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Zach Morrison]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 22 Sep 2026 04:00:19 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Backup & Disaster Recovery]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Client News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare Industry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HIPAA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HIPAA Audits]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[HSN News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Legal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Policies and Procedures]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Risk Assessment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Security]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Security Reminders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[featured]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://hsnstg.wpengine.com/?p=20475</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Workforce security goes beyond annual HIPAA training. Learn how proposed HIPAA Security Rule changes could introduce more specific expectations for employee training, security reminders, documentation, and timely removal of access to ePHI. </p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/hipaa-workforce-security-what-could-change/">HIPAA Workforce Security: What Could Change?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com">HIPAA Secure Now!</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-20479 size-full" src="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/hipaa-workforce-security-what-could-change.webp" alt="HIPAA Workforce" width="1200" height="675" srcset="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/hipaa-workforce-security-what-could-change.webp 1200w, https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/hipaa-workforce-security-what-could-change-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/hipaa-workforce-security-what-could-change-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/hipaa-workforce-security-what-could-change-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Your workforce is an important part of protecting electronic protected health information (ePHI). HIPAA already requires covered entities and business associates to train their workforce, maintain security policies, and control access to ePHI. A proposed update to the HIPAA Security Rule would make many of these requirements more specific.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<h2><b><span data-contrast="auto">What Does HIPAA Require Today?</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The current Security Rule requires a security awareness and training program for all workforce members, including management. It also includes addressable provisions covering security updates, protection from malicious software, login monitoring, and password management.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Organizations must maintain written Security Rule policies and procedures, update them when needed, and have procedures for ending access when a workforce member leaves. However, the current Security Rule does not set a specific annual training schedule, a deadline for training new workforce members, or a timeframe for removing access.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<h2><b><span data-contrast="auto">What Would the Proposed Rule Change?</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">If finalized as written, the proposed rule would establish clearer training content and deadlines. Covered entities and business associates would need to:</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Provide role-based security training at least once every 12 months</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Train new workforce members no later than 30 days after they first receive system access</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Provide updated training within 30 days of a material policy or procedure change affecting someone’s role</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Provide ongoing reminders/continuous trainings about security responsibilities and emerging threats</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Document that training and reminders were provided</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The proposal would also require workforce security policies and procedures to be reviewed and tested annually.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Training is only one part of workforce security. Under the proposal, system and facility access would need to be terminated as soon as possible, but no later than one hour after a workforce member’s employment or other arrangement ends. When that person had authorized access to systems maintained by another covered entity or business associate, that organization would generally need to be notified within 24 hours.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">These changes are not final, but organizations can begin preparing by reviewing their training, policies, documentation, and access-removal processes.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/hipaa-workforce-security-what-could-change/">HIPAA Workforce Security: What Could Change?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com">HIPAA Secure Now!</a>.</p>
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		<title>Business Associate and Vendor Management: A New Approach is Needed</title>
		<link>https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/business-associate-and-vendor-management-a-new-approach-is-needed/</link>
					<comments>https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/business-associate-and-vendor-management-a-new-approach-is-needed/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Trent Bolish]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 Sep 2026 04:00:12 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Associates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Client News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare Industry]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[HSN News]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://hsnstg.wpengine.com/?p=20466</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Signing a Business Associate Agreement is an essential part of HIPAA compliance, but effective vendor management does not stop there. Learn how healthcare organizations can identify, assess, monitor, and securely offboard vendors to better protect PHI and reduce third-party risk.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/business-associate-and-vendor-management-a-new-approach-is-needed/">Business Associate and Vendor Management: A New Approach is Needed</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com">HIPAA Secure Now!</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-20472 size-full" src="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/business-associate-and-vendor-management-a-new-approach-is-needed.webp" alt="HSN Vendor Management" width="1200" height="675" srcset="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/business-associate-and-vendor-management-a-new-approach-is-needed.webp 1200w, https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/business-associate-and-vendor-management-a-new-approach-is-needed-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/business-associate-and-vendor-management-a-new-approach-is-needed-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/business-associate-and-vendor-management-a-new-approach-is-needed-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Healthcare organizations depend on outside vendors for billing, cloud storage, IT support, legal services, and everyday operations. When a vendor accesses, processes, receives, maintains, or transmits protected health information (PHI) on your behalf, it generally is a business associate under HIPAA.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">That relationship creates responsibilities for both parties—and signing a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) is only the beginning.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<h2><b><span data-contrast="auto">A BAA Is Essential, but It Is Not Vendor Management</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">A BAA defines how a business associate may use and disclose PHI, requires appropriate safeguards, and addresses incident reporting and subcontractor responsibilities. However, a signed agreement does not prove that a vendor has effective security controls.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Healthcare organizations need a repeatable process for managing vendors throughout the relationship:</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<ol>
<li><b><span data-contrast="auto">Identify and classify.</span></b><span data-contrast="auto"> Maintain an inventory of vendors, the services they provide, the PHI they handle, and any subcontractors they use.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><b><span data-contrast="auto">Evaluate risk.</span></b><span data-contrast="auto"> Review safeguards such as access controls, multifactor authentication, encryption, workforce training, incident response, backups, and vulnerability management before access begins.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><b><span data-contrast="auto">Set clear expectations.</span></b><span data-contrast="auto"> Ensure the BAA and service agreement address responsibilities, notification procedures, data return or destruction, and other requirements appropriate to the risk.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><b><span data-contrast="auto">Monitor the relationship.</span></b><span data-contrast="auto"> Reassess higher-risk vendors on a defined schedule and whenever services, ownership, access, or subcontractors change.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><b><span data-contrast="auto">Offboard securely.</span></b><span data-contrast="auto"> Remove accounts and integrations, recover assets, and confirm that PHI is returned or destroyed when required and feasible.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ol>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Business associates must apply the same discipline to subcontractors that handle PHI on their behalf. Each additional party extends the chain of responsibility—and can increase exposure if oversight is weak.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Effective vendor management is not paperwork for its own sake. It helps your organization know who has access to PHI, understand the risk, respond faster to incidents, and prevent former vendors from retaining unnecessary access or data.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">HIPAA Secure Now helps healthcare organizations assess risk, maintain policies and documentation, train employees, and keep compliance work moving throughout the year.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><b><span data-contrast="auto">Schedule a HIPAA compliance review to identify vendor-management gaps and prioritize your next steps.</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/business-associate-and-vendor-management-a-new-approach-is-needed/">Business Associate and Vendor Management: A New Approach is Needed</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com">HIPAA Secure Now!</a>.</p>
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		<title>What Could the End of &#8220;Addressable&#8221; HIPAA Safeguards Mean for Healthcare Organizations?</title>
		<link>https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/what-could-the-end-of-addressable-hipaa-safeguards-mean-for-healthcare-organizations/</link>
					<comments>https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/what-could-the-end-of-addressable-hipaa-safeguards-mean-for-healthcare-organizations/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Kim Berardi]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 Sep 2026 04:00:14 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Backup & Disaster Recovery]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[featured]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://hsnstg.wpengine.com/?p=20458</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>“Addressable” has never meant optional under the HIPAA Security Rule. But proposed changes could eliminate much of the flexibility associated with addressable safeguards. Learn what that could mean for healthcare organizations and why now is a good time to review your current security practices.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/what-could-the-end-of-addressable-hipaa-safeguards-mean-for-healthcare-organizations/">What Could the End of &#8220;Addressable&#8221; HIPAA Safeguards Mean for Healthcare Organizations?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com">HIPAA Secure Now!</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-20463 size-full" src="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/what-could-the-end-of-addressable-hipaa-safeguards-mean-for-healthcare-organizations-1.webp" alt="Addressable Safeguards" width="1200" height="675" srcset="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/what-could-the-end-of-addressable-hipaa-safeguards-mean-for-healthcare-organizations-1.webp 1200w, https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/what-could-the-end-of-addressable-hipaa-safeguards-mean-for-healthcare-organizations-1-300x169.webp 300w, https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/what-could-the-end-of-addressable-hipaa-safeguards-mean-for-healthcare-organizations-1-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/what-could-the-end-of-addressable-hipaa-safeguards-mean-for-healthcare-organizations-1-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">One common misconception about the HIPAA Security Rule is that an “addressable” safeguard is optional. That is not the case.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Under the current Security Rule, when an implementation specification is designated as addressable, an organization must determine whether that safeguard is reasonable and appropriate for its environment. If it is not, the organization must document why and, when reasonable and appropriate, implement an equivalent alternative measure.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The proposed HIPAA Security Rule changes could significantly reduce that flexibility. HHS has proposed eliminating the distinction between “required” and “addressable” implementation specifications, making the specifications required with limited exceptions.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<h2 aria-level="2"><b><span data-contrast="none">Why Is HHS Proposing This Change?</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:299,&quot;335559739&quot;:299}"> </span></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">During the recent NIST/HHS </span><i><span data-contrast="auto">Safeguarding Health Information: Building Assurance Through HIPAA Security</span></i><span data-contrast="auto"> conference, one of the points discussed was that the Security Rule was originally designed with flexibility so organizations could adapt as technology evolved.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Technology has certainly evolved. Many safeguards that may have once been difficult, costly, or impractical to implement are now considered fundamental security practices.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Encryption is a good example.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Years ago, encryption could be expensive or difficult to implement, particularly for a small healthcare organization. Depending on the organization&#8217;s circumstances, there may have been other reasonable and appropriate ways to protect electronic protected health information (ePHI).</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Today, encryption is widely available and often built directly into the technology healthcare organizations already use. What may have once required additional technology and resources has increasingly become a baseline safeguard for protecting sensitive information.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The same evolution is happening across other areas of cybersecurity. As technology becomes more accessible and threats become more sophisticated, expectations for protecting ePHI are changing with them.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<h2 aria-level="2"><b><span data-contrast="none">What Does This Mean for Your Organization?</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:299,&quot;335559739&quot;:299}"> </span></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The proposed HIPAA Security Rule has not been finalized, so the current Security Rule requirements remain in effect.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">However, healthcare organizations do not have to wait for a final rule to start preparing.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Now is a good time to review the safeguards your organization currently treats as addressable. Understand which safeguards have been implemented, where alternative measures are being used, and whether those decisions still make sense based on today&#8217;s technology and cybersecurity risks.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">This review can also help identify areas that may require additional planning, budgeting, or support from your IT team or managed service provider.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Even if the final rule differs from the current proposal, evaluating these safeguards today can help strengthen the protection of ePHI and put your organization in a better position to adapt as HIPAA requirements evolve.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Preparing now means having more time to make thoughtful decisions instead of waiting until a compliance deadline is approaching.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com/what-could-the-end-of-addressable-hipaa-safeguards-mean-for-healthcare-organizations/">What Could the End of &#8220;Addressable&#8221; HIPAA Safeguards Mean for Healthcare Organizations?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.hipaasecurenow.com">HIPAA Secure Now!</a>.</p>
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