HIPAA Update – DHHS Releases Security Risk Assessment Tool

On March 28, the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) released a new security risk assessment tool to help small to medium sized offices conduct a risk assessment of their organizations. The tool is designed to help practices conduct and document a risk assessment in a through, organized fashion at their own pace. The application, which is available for both Windows and iPad operating systems, also produces a report that can be provided to auditors.

In early March, we posted a blog entry about the importance of conducting a HIPAA security risk analysis, to help assess potential weaknesses in existing security policies and procedures. DHHS has penalized covered entities for not having a documented security risk analysis, or having an incomplete one.

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