Implementing and Maintaining a HIPAA-Compliant Firewall

Security is a major concern for many computer users, even more so for business owners. With the adoption of remote and hybrid work environments, risks are at an all-time high. 

If any of your patients' details are exposed, you could be liable for a hefty fine. You'll want to make sure that your clinic's firewall is compliant and up to date with the latest security protocols.

Outdated and noncompliant technology can compromise the value and reputation of your medical clinic. A HIPAA-compliant firewall is essential in these situations.

Is Your Firewall HIPAA Compliant? 

A firewall is one of the essential security tools to protect sensitive medical data, but is your clinic's firewall HIPAA compliant?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires that all healthcare providers, health plans, and clearinghouses protect the privacy of patients' health information.

To become HIPAA compliant, a firewall should go through testing before it's implemented. 

Testing a firewall is necessary for the following reasons:

• Testing helps ensure that your firewalls are functioning properly.
• Testing prevents unauthorized entry from outside sources and provides safe passage for authorized personnel only. 
• Testing also involves documenting what a firewall allows and doesn't allow as users log in.

What Is a Firewall Used For?

A firewall is a security tool often implemented in networks of organizations and corporations. It prevents unauthorized access to a computer network or electronic communication. It also protects against malware and viruses.

Firewalls are the gateway to all your sensitive data and should be monitored constantly. They can be set up to monitor traffic entering and leaving the network, block all unwanted traffic, and even stop malware before it gets in.

Monitoring an organization's firewall is vital to maintaining a secure network. Periodically reviewing logs will reveal any recently made changes that have not been authorized by the IT department.

What is a HIPAA-Compliant Firewall?

HIPAA-compliant firewalls are extensions of standard firewalls developed to address the specific threats posed by the nature of the data stored at hospitals and clinics.

Safeguarding PHI is made possible by HIPAA-compliant firewalls, which help healthcare providers, researchers, insurance companies, pharmacists, medical device manufacturers, and other healthcare-related entities comply with HIPAA.

Why Should My Firewall Be HIPAA Compliant?

In today's digital age, healthcare providers are increasingly using electronic health records (EHRs) to store and transmit sensitive patient data. As hospitals and medical clinics are large potential sources of valuable data, they have been increasingly targeted by hackers.

One way to protect your clinic from a cyberattack is to implement a HIPAA-compliant firewall. This will isolate all confidential data on your network, and allow you to manage who has access to the information within the system.

Your clinic is required by law to comply with strict HIPAA requirements and maintain confidentiality and security of patient information. This law aims to protect patients so their data cannot be released without authorization, such as your name, address, Social Security number, or date of birth.

A HIPAA-compliant firewall provides robust network protection against any malicious attacks and makes sure that your patients’ data is secure. It cuts off the flow of information to any external device or network. It also keeps you from being fined by the government.

What Are the Disadvantages of Not Having a HIPAA-Compliant Firewall?

Put yourself in the position of a hacker who wants to steal patient data and sell it on the dark web. You’re spying on several clinics in one area. Some of them have a HIPAA-compliant firewall, while others don’t. Which one will you target? 

One of the prominent disadvantages of not having a HIPAA-compliant firewall is getting attacked by hackers. 

Another major disadvantage of not having a HIPAA-compliant firewall is prolonged network downtime. Even if they couldn’t get their hands on your data just yet, cybercriminals can effectively shut down your practice if you don't have adequate protection.

The worst possible scenario without a HIPAA-compliant firewall is a total network collapse. Restoring your systems may take several days or even weeks. By then, your clinic's reputation and profitability will have suffered greatly.

How to Make Sure Your Clinic Uses a HIPAA-Compliant Firewall 

To remain HIPAA compliant, your clinic's firewall controls should continuously monitor and control all incoming and outgoing network traffic. By using firewall controls, employees can only access websites required for their jobs.

Suppose an employee works as a receptionist and requires access to company email. In that case, firewall controls for the employee's computer can be set to allow access to company email servers, while blocking access to sites the employee's job role does not require, such as Facebook and YouTube. 

When employees are restricted to accessing only the websites and functions necessary to perform their jobs, they are less likely to access websites that could expose their computers to malicious software.

Compared to receptionists, physicians and nurses may need extensive Internet access for research purposes. As part of the HIPAA Security Rule, rules can be created to configure each employee's computer with appropriate network access based on their job roles.

Look at your server logs to find out if your clinic already has a HIPAA-compliant firewall in place. Then you can verify that it has been set up correctly and that it complies with HIPAA's guidelines.

If you need assistance in this area, you should get in touch with a compliance professional immediately to avoid any problems.

What Is a Managed Firewall?

If you think managing and maintaining your own firewall is simply not feasible for you, managed firewalls may be your most viable choice.

A managed firewall is a high-end service for healthcare providers. As HIPAA-covered entities, you’re required to implement physical, administrative, and technological safeguards to protect patient information.

You can also view a managed firewall as a firewall that is remotely controlled by a service provider. It can be used much like an appliance and installed on remote networks, or it can be hosted at the service provider's site and managed as needed.

Managed firewalls are more secure than the free versions. They are better at detecting and blocking malicious attacks, have better performance, and are more reliable. Managed firewalls cost more than free versions but are worth the investment.

How a Managed Firewall Can Boost Clinic Efficiency

Many doctors are choosing to invest in security solutions that protect their medical records. With a managed firewall, clinics can enjoy the benefits of increased security in their workplace.

But how exactly can a managed firewall improve clinic efficiency? Read on to learn how:

Outsmart Hackers

The cybersecurity field is notoriously difficult to navigate, but managed firewall services are available to provide the protection your organization needs. As a healthcare provider, your organization is always one step ahead of malware and hackers. 

A managed firewall service backs up your organization’s network, monitors internet traffic, and blocks threats before they can do any damage. This means that your organization is always protected, has a built-in defense against ransomware, and safeguards your HIPAA-regulated data. 

Your staff can focus on their tasks instead of constantly worrying about hackers.

Prevent Network Downtime

Not all firewalls are created equal. There are two types of firewalls: managed and off the shelf.

A managed firewall is installed, monitored, and maintained by an experienced professional who analyzes your clinic’s network and its unique needs.

When it comes to off-the-shelf firewalls, your vendor may install it for you. However, you may need to install the firewall yourself if it's not part of their service, and your vendor certainly won't monitor it after installation.

Improve Staff Productivity (Even Among Remote Employees)

Aside from having the ability to set access rights based on clinic job roles, a managed firewall helps boost staff productivity because it allows seamless internet access on wireless devices. 

Remote employees greatly benefit from this. Their work becomes more efficient and safe. It ensures the safety of all their data, allowing them to accomplish their tasks without any disruption.

Save You More Time and Money

With a managed firewall, clinic owners can save time since you have cybersecurity experts looking after them for you 24/7. Your time will be spent on other tasks instead of monitoring the firewall. 

A managed firewall can also save money because it doesn't need to be replaced frequently. You can instead spend your extra budget on other areas of your practice.

ER Tech Pros Can Manage Your Firewall

As a clinic owner, you know that your clinic is a high-value target for hackers. Protecting your data and devices is crucial to protect your patients, but you're already stretched thin and understaffed. 

Additionally, a basic firewall is not enough anymore. You need a comprehensive solution for network security that covers all aspects of protection – from hardware to software, from prevention to response.

As healthcare’s trusted IT experts, we at ER Tech Pros take cybersecurity seriously and want your clinic's firewall to meet all the necessary HIPAA requirements. 

We provide 24/7 remote support and IT services so you can focus on what you do best: providing the best medical care. With our security solution in place, we prevent hackers from gaining access to your network and remotely monitor your systems for any suspicious activity. 

We’ve helped dozens of medical clinics increase their security while saving more money. 

Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today and let’s identify potential security holes in your network and fix them before it’s too late.