A single click on a phishing email can expose more than just passwords. It can put your whole company at risk. October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the perfect time for employers to revisit their HIPAA security practices. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires strict safeguards to protect personal health information, but compliance also builds credibility and protects a company’s reputation.
To help strengthen your safeguards, here are a few practical steps employers can take to protect their organizations:
Reinforce employee training: Provide ongoing HIPAA and cybersecurity training through platforms like KnowBe4 and reinforce learning with phishing simulations to help employees recognize suspicious messages and Protected Health Information (PHI).
Update security protocols: Utilize strong encryption, enable multifactor authentication, and regularly monitor systems to stay ahead of evolving cyber threats.
Back up critical data: Maintain secure backups to protect PHI in the event of system failures or ransomware attacks.
Promote system updates: Simple restarts help ensure updates install properly and keep systems defended against threats.
Implement device management: Require screen locks, auto timeouts, and remote-wipe capabilities on all company devices.
Monitor and audit activity logs: Review system access and PHI usage regularly to spot suspicious behavior early.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month highlights that data protection isn’t a one-time project. It requires consistent effort, regular updates, and employee engagement. Organizations that layer their defenses through strong policies, training, and habits create resilience against cyber threats. For organizations looking to strengthen their security foundation, Medcom provides two targeted HIPAA training solutions designed to fit your organization’s needs, whether you’re training your entire workforce or advancing the expertise of your HR professionals:
- On-Demand HIPAA Training – A flexible, expert-led program that keeps your workforce informed and compliant year-round through two modules covering the Privacy, Breach Notification, and Security Rules, PHI protection, safeguards, and real-world cases
- HIPAA Privacy & Security Training for HR Professionals – A comprehensive course for HR and benefits professionals offering an in-depth review of HIPAA’s Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules, legal requirements, safeguards, and case studies while earning SHRM credits
Together, these programs help organizations strengthen compliance, protect sensitive information, and build a culture of cybersecurity awareness across every level of the workplace.
