Achieving HIPAA Compliance with CIPH3R’s FPE

Format-preserving encryption (FPE) can be a valuable tool for helping organizations achieve compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA sets strict standards for the security and privacy of protected health information (PHI). Here’s how FPE can contribute to HIPAA compliance:

• Data Encryption (HIPAA Security Rule - 164.312): HIPAA’s Security Rule requires the encryption of PHI both in transit and at rest. FPE allows organizations to encrypt PHI in a way that maintains its original format, making it easier to work with while still securing it. This ensures that PHI remains confidential and protected against unauthorized access.

• Access Controls (HIPAA Security Rule - 164.312): FPE can be integrated with access controls to limit who can decrypt and access PHI. Access control mechanisms, such as user authentication and authorization, can work in tandem with FPE to ensure that only authorized individuals or systems can view the data.

• Audit Controls (HIPAA Security Rule - 164.312): HIPAA requires the implementation of audit controls to record and examine activity related to PHI. FPE can be used to securely log access to PHI, creating an audit trail that can be monitored and reviewed for security and compliance purposes.

• Data Minimization (HIPAA Privacy Rule - 164.514): HIPAA’s Privacy Rule encourages organizations to minimize the use and disclosure of PHI. FPE can enable organizations to use a tokenization approach, where PHI is replaced with tokens, while retaining the original format. This reduces the exposure of PHI and supports the principle of data minimization.

• Data Masking (HIPAA Privacy Rule - 164.514): Data masking, such as using FPE to display only part of a patient’s Social Security number or medical record number, can help protect the privacy of individuals while preserving data usability, aligning with HIPAA’s privacy requirements.

• De-Identification (HIPAA Privacy Rule - 164.514): HIPAA allows for the de-identification of PHI, which can support certain research and analysis activities. FPE can be applied to de-identify data while maintaining its format, providing a reversible method of de-identification when needed.

• Secure Data Sharing (HIPAA Privacy Rule - 164.502): FPE allows organizations to securely share PHI with authorized entities while preserving its original format. This is essential for complying with HIPAA when sharing data with healthcare providers, payers, and other authorized entities.

While FPE can be a valuable component of a HIPAA compliance strategy, it should be part of a comprehensive security and privacy program that addresses other HIPAA requirements, such as risk assessments, workforce training, policies and procedures, and ongoing compliance monitoring. Compliance with HIPAA is a complex and ongoing process, and organizations should seek guidance from legal and healthcare compliance experts to ensure full adherence to the regulations.

Reach out to CIPH3R to learn more about how our solution can automate your HIPAA Needs