The holiday season is filled with busy schedules, travel, and many distractions. It’s essential to help your organization stay protected by educating your employees on maintaining the security and privacy of health information. A recent survey revealed that 65% of employees admitted to bypassing their organization’s security policies to improve productivity, underscoring how often security measures are overlooked—especially during busy periods like the holidays. Whether your employees are working from home, traveling, or managing tasks outside the usual office setting, it's crucial to be extra cautious with sensitive data. Here are a few essential tips for HIPAA compliance during this hectic season.

1. Use a Secure Network: Public Wi-Fi might seem convenient when traveling, but it’s a prime target for cybercriminals. When working outside your usual office environment, always use a secure, encrypted connection. This is essential for protecting sensitive health information.
2. Keep Devices Protected: Traveling often means you’ll have your devices. Ensure that any devices, such as laptops, smartphones, or tablets, are password-protected and encrypted. This added layer of security helps prevent unauthorized access to PHI if your device is lost or stolen.
3. Be Aware of Phishing Scams: The holiday season often brings an increase in phishing attempts. Scammers may pose as colleagues or vendors, trying to trick you into revealing sensitive information. Employees should be especially cautious when opening emails or clicking on links, even if they seem to come from trusted sources. Always verify requests for health data or sensitive information through a secure channel.
4. Encrypt Data: Whether you're sending emails, working with files, or communicating via messaging apps, ensure that sensitive information is encrypted. This adds an additional layer of protection, ensuring that any health-related information stays safe during transmission.
5. Avoid Sharing PHI in Public Spaces: During the holidays, you may find yourself in public spaces, such as airports, cafes, or family gatherings, where conversations are easily overheard. To prevent accidental disclosures, avoid discussing protected health information (PHI) in these environments. If you need to communicate sensitive data, instead use secure communication methods or wait until you’re in a private setting.

As the holiday season increases distractions and travel, ensuring HIPAA compliance should remain a top priority for employers. To learn more about safeguarding your organization, explore our HIPAA Solutions. Medcom offers comprehensive training, risk assessments, and compliance reviews to help maintain the highest standards of privacy and security throughout your organization.