Understanding HIPAA Privacy and Security –Part III

In the first and second part of this article, we explored the privacy and security aspects of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act or HIPAA. We delved upon the security rule and the three types of security safeguards namely administrative, physical and technical safeguards. Of the three safeguards, we had a look at the administrative safeguards and its required as well as addressable implementation specifications.In the third and final part of this article, we will examine the technical and physical safeguards of the security rule.


Physical Safeguards

Physical safeguards of the HIPAA/HITECH  act deals with the policies and procedures that need to be adopted and implemented to control physical access to systems or devices containing health information and facilities housing electronic records.


Utmost care must be taken when introducing and removing hardware and software that deals with Protected Health Information (PHI) from the network. Equipment that are on the verge of retirement must be disposed off properly so that PHI contained within such systems are not compromised.

  • Ensure that access to equipment that contain health information is controlled and monitored vigilantly.

  • Ensure that those who access hardware and software are individuals with proper authentication.

  • Implement facility security plans, maintenance records and visitor sign-in and escorts within system centres that contain protected health information.

  • Ensure that the workstations are not in high traffic areas and the monitor screens are not in direct view of the public.

  • The covered entities that take the services of contractors and agents must ensure that the contractors and agents are fully trained and aware of their responsibilities.


Implementation Specifications

In this Physical Safeguards category, there are eight Implementation Specifications. Of the eight specifications, two are required and six are addressable. For instance, it is required to remove all data and images from CDs and DVDs prior to reuse.


Technical Safeguards

It deals with those measures that need to be implemented when transmitting health information electronically over open networks so that the health information do not fall into wrong hands.

  • When transmitting information over open networks encryption must be carried out as set out in standards. However, if the information flows over closed networks then the existing access controls may be more than enough.

  • Covered entities must take all possible measures to ensure data integrity and this includes digital signature, check sum, message authentication, and double keying.

  • Implement procedures to authenticate that the entity that is accessing the electronic records is the one it claims to be. This includes token systems, password systems, telephone call back, and two or three way handshakes.

  • Document all policies implemented and practices followed for HIPAA compliance that needs to be made available to the compliance auditors when required.


Implementation Specifications

Of the seven Implementation Specifications, two are required and five are addressable. For instance, it is required that every individual who accesses the computer system has a unique user identification name or number.


The importance of ensuring healthcare compliance cannot be undermined; it is required to safeguard Protected Health Information.


Also read on - PCI compliance, Vendor management solutions

Being Hi-tech and Not HITECH Compliant –Know the Consequences

Impact of information technology has been pervasive across all sectors of business. Healthcare is no exception. Today hi-tech solutions are available for efficiently managing health information of patients. HITECH (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health) Act came in 2009 to address certain concerns in information security and privacy of the electronic medical records (EMR) or the electronic health records (EHR) of patients. So the protection of patient health information became the focus of attention.


Health organizations have to adhere to HIPAA, i.e. the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act since the time of its inception in 1996. HIPAA was originally introduced by congress to secure health insurance rights of workers. There were other complementary titles to the act and were introduced as “Title 2” that was designed to secure electronically saved information associated with the patient health data. This came to be known as Protected Health Information, i.e. PHI.


The concern with HIPAA was the broad interpretation taken by numerous healthcare providers and insurers. The outcome was a varying degree of adoption amongst providers leaving people unsure whether they were compliant or not.  The requirements were not specific and there was very less enforcement done.


HITECH i.e. Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act was set up in 2009 and made important modifications to HIPAA. This act also offers incentives for utilizing electronic health records and has set up stricter notification standards, raised the penalty, tightened the enforcement as well as altered the accountabilities and liabilities of Business Associates.


The term breach too has been redefined by HITECH as “The unauthorized acquisition, access, use, or disclosure of protected health information, which compromises the security or privacy of protected health information— except where an unauthorized person to whom such information is disclosed would not reasonably have been able to retain such information”.


Hence, going by the definition, any breach that reveals the patient’s confidential data would have lasting and serious consequences. Unlike credit cards, that can be cancelled and altered once revealed, health care records cannot be reset or altered. As per the information from Forrester Research, criminals have been aiming at the health care organizations. For security groups within healthcare institutions HITECH’s increased penalties will assist the justification of financing required for the security and compliance projects that otherwise might have been overlooked under ambivalent enforcement defined by HIPAA.


Complying with HIPAA and HITECH might appear time consuming and a complex process. However, today companies specializing in compliance management solutions have made the job much easier. They offer solutions that needs no software or hardware investments and can be deployed quickly. Users need not worry about technical assistance or any backup requirements and they can receive all the benefits of a future-proof compliance management solution. It also includes in-built HIPAA and HITECH support that is easily expanded and automatically kept up-to-date. Data is saved in SaS 70 Type II secure data center.


These compliance management solutions also deliver the necessary risk analysis and compliance reports required for demonstrating the appropriate level of Meaningful Use so that Covered Entities can receive reimbursements from the federal government as soon as possible. So in being hi-tech ensure that you are also HITECH compliant. Penalties otherwise could stiflethe business itself.


Read on - GLBA Compliance, PCI compliance

What you Must Know about Limited Liability Company Tax Return

LLCs or Limited Liability Companies are popular mainly as owners have limited personal liability for the debts and actions much like a corporation. A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a business structure allowed by state statute. Most of the features of LLCs are more like that of a partnership, and they provide the management the flexibility and the benefit of pass-through taxation. Members or owners of an LLC can be individuals, corporations, other LLCs and foreign entities and there is no limitation on the maximum number of members. An LLC is a Limited Liability Company, gives the business owner, freedom of personal liability from most (not all) damages or debts incurred by the business.

 

The federal government does not recognize an LLC as a classification for federal tax purposes. It is essential for all LLC business entities to file a corporation, partnership or sole proprietorship tax return. An LLC that is not automatically classified as a corporation can file Form 8832 to elect their business entity classification. As form 8832 is also filed to change the LLC’s classification, it means that means an LLC can take advantage of lower tax rates without having to change its corporate structure.

 

Understanding the implications of LLC formation

 

While there could possibly be tax implications if you convert an existing business like a corporation into an LLC, the conversion may perhaps result in taxable gains. It will avoid double taxation unlike corporations, and owners have limited personal liability for the debts and actions of the LLC. The other features of LLCs are more like a partnership, providing management flexibility and the benefit of pass-through taxation.

 

Taxation of the LLC

 

Regardless of whether they have a received a share in profit LLC owners must pay taxes on their distributive share of the profit of the company. LLC owners must pay self-employment taxes (Social Security/Medicare), while corporate owners who serve as employees only pay half of the self-employment tax amount on their salaries while the rest is paid by the corporation. It is important to remember that most of the income that is used as part of business operations cannot be taxed, but deducted as a business expense. This has a significant impact on the amount of taxes owed, and it is important to be aware of the many deductions available.

 

Managing your LLC tax effectively will always be conducive to the growth of your business. Taking the help of an expert can help in easing your tax burdens and also give you assistance in all your tax related issues like business tax returns etc.

 

Related Links : Itemized tax 2106, S Corp tax planning

Safeguard Your Data with Data Center Solutions

What is the crucial element in your business? It is the data that you put into use and have saved over the years. Business data and other essential information is the soul of every business. With the modern day technological development, today we have a variety of security systems and storage servers at our disposal to keep the vital information safe and secure. The modern day IT providers have made it easy for us to store all data in an online storage format and safeguard it with numerous security systems as well. Concerning this, it is important that we realize that utilizing online storage can be a unsafe, as the security system can be broke with the help of any third party intrusions and the data cannot be used for any thing else.

Therefore, no organization would prefer if they found out that their data was stolen by third party intruder as that would lead to professional loss. In order to avert this problem, today eminent service providers have come up with datacenter services that assist you to save all your data and protect it with extreme strictness.

Today, innovative data center solutions offered by leading market players enable hardware and software integration in order to bring down all sorts of unidentified threats and other related operational risks. These solutions efficiently cater to all your cabinet, rack assembly and product level needs. At the same time, they help to integrate hardware, software and other peripherals for a “turn-key”. Furthermore, these solutions allow their users with racks for database servers, web servers, and industrial applications, networks that are apt for laboratory, workshop and other commercial platforms.

This is not all. Leading organizations specializing in datacenter solutions offer their clients and customers with authentic warranties. Under the terms of this warranty, every equipment needs to undergo a strict level of inspection process. Post that it has to pass specific set standards that reflect the service quality offered on each single component, part and system. Apart from this, these companies also offer new age unified storage solutions and storage servers for efficient data storage.

Furthermore, today’s datacenter solutions are unique and are characterized by high-end constituents, open-architecture that enables all forthcoming expansion and simple upgrades. It is combined with extensive-software and hardware integration services that help users to bring down the costs and other operational hazards.

Read Also On:  High Performance Computing Clusters

Threat Management: Holistic Solutions For Techno Savvy Enterprise

Technology has changed the way organizations collaborate, communicate and share information and data. Internet, web applications, and networking have created innovative new ways of working. Cyber communications is constantly advancing and affordability of these through computers, networking and hand-held devices coupled with level of information dependency have brought out issues of security and privacy of data.


However, the expansive use of technologies also exposes organization and businesses to security risks such as security breaches, data leaks and cyber attacks.  Information security regulations and standards such as FISMA, HIPPA, GLBA etc and IT compliance solutions provide organizations with a security baseline and tools to strengthen its security posture. However, to achieve compliance, organizations must implement perimeter defenses, system certifications, auditing, as well as user involvement. Non-compliance to the security regulations will lead to penalties, which would usurp the security issues.


The diversity of businesses creates diversity in security needs. However, risk visibility, identity, and access management tools are the most threat prone zones. Research shows that since most organizations do not monitor security cyber attacks they loose large amounts on a global basis in intellectual property due to cyber crime, theft of data and trade secrets. Hence business houses deploy firewalls and information security systems as threat management measures. Leading IT security service providers have worked out IT compliance solutions that are automated and on-demand integrated with IT security.


These solutions provide business houses and organizations end-to-end integration of security monitoring with IT Governance risk management and compliance.  This cloud based delivery model has a ready to-use built-in framework support for HIPPA Compliance, and PCI Compliance and any other country specific frameworks. However effective threat management demands that organizations must take actions to defend themselves against ever-present and pervasive cyber-threats.  


For successful threat management, providing organizations and business houses with an end-to-end integration of advanced network monitoring and IT-GRC will enable them to get an integrated view of operational security posture and compliance management software. Such advanced threat management system, will provide organizations end-to-end automation of enterprise security; IT compliance, audit, and solutions for risk management.  By delivering this holistic solution, IT security service providers help organizations both large and small with advanced threat detection, malware analysis, recognize insider threats and solve data leakage issues.


Click here to read more on - HIPAA and HITECH, Vendor management

Need For Effective Anti-Phishing Software

Social engineering is the buzzword around with the innovation of internet technology and various social networking platforms. As you browse the internet do you encounter mails or website links that ask you share your personal details and then take you to faulty web pages? Well, if you have faced it then you are not the only one. There are millions who face the same both in their personal and professional world. This is known as phishing, and it is malicious software designed by computer hackers to rob your personal information and can even damage a computing device.

 

Most phishing attacks are naturally targeted towards the ones who are naïve and know nothing about phishing and pay a heavy price for their vulnerability. In the recent past, there have been numerous employee awareness programs and anti-phishing solutions in order to limit these attacks. There are eminent service providers that use employee research tools and latest technologies and have come up with innovative anti-phishing software that safeguards an employee from these attacks and also creates a prioritized plan of action for alleviating the chances of potential hazards.

 

As social engineering has become more prevalent, phishing awareness too is becoming a prime concern round the globe. Phishing attacks are capable of resulting in enterprise crisis by stealing all the corporate data through the third party intruders. This leads to an organization’s reputation as well as monetary loss. Private information that is leaked by sophisticated phishing attacks these days includes data such as Visa, credit card, debit card, password, account and password details as well as business plans, sales forecasts and many more.

 

Regular phishing protection solutions only address the process and the technology used. However, there are certain solutions that address the aspect of “people’s risk”. One such recent trend is the “incident-based” approach that works towards making the employees of an organization aware about these attacks. The innovative anti-phishing software provides the following advantages:-

  • Assists organizations in evaluating potential risks related to phishing.

  • Provide flexible reporting capabilities and integrate them back into the organization’s main performance-indicator framework.

  • Provides detailed “road map" solution focusing on the security awareness and training within the company.

  • Assists in spotting the weakness within people, process and technology links.

  • Enables in prioritizing remediation attempts via effective benchmarking and maturity analysis.

  • Assists in maximizing employee awareness and knowledge to help guard sensitive data.

 

Therefore, the new age service providers of anti-phishing software solutions assist enterprises to analyze an employee’s aptitude in responding to phishing attacks. The protection not only concentrates on computing devices but also people’s awareness and mental aptitude.

 

Read also on : Anti phishing tool

Innovative Biometrics Service Portfolio by CRO’s

Biometrics authentication is an emerging field in which the concerned medical teams express concerns over identity concerns. Today laws and regulations concerning the same are being evaluated. Face identification biometrics has not reached the prevalent stage of fingerprinting, but with ongoing technological pushes and with the hazards of terrorism, researchers and biometric developers will stimulate this security technology for the twenty-first century.

 

Keeping in mind the modern day approach, biometric traits can be categorized in to two main categories. They are:-

 

* Physiological – that is associated with the body shape and therefore differs from people to people. Certain aspects of it are face recognition, fingerprints, hand geometry and iris recognition are certain specimens of this kind of Biometrics.

* Behavioral – that is associated to a person’s behavior. Certain examples of this case are keystroke dynamics, signature and voice. There are times when voice is also taken as a physiological biometric that differs from people to people.

Eminent clinical research organizations in India offer a comprehensive data management services in bio equivalence and phase I to IV clinical trials. The main aim is to convert raw information into accurate, consistent and reliable trial outputs in compliance with regulatory laws. These CRO’s have a dedicated Biometric team that focuses to speed up the regulatory submission process and lessen timeline through high end thinking and a commitment to quality. Biometrics services portfolio by the CRO’s is used by the device, biotechnology, pharmaceutical organizations. The portfolio includes the following:-

 

Database Programming


* CRF Design (paper & electronic)

* CRF Annotation

* Database Programming

* Validation Checks

* Metadata Repository Management


Data Management


* Data Acquisition

* Data Reconciliation

* Discrepancy Management

* Medical Coding (MeDRA& WHODD)

* Database Lock

* Data Extraction for Reporting


Clinical Pharmacokinetic & Pharmacodynamic Studies


* Sampling Point Estimation

* Technical Document Review

* PK/PD Query Resolution

* PK/PD Subject Matter Expert

* Pharmacokinetic support across study engagement


PK/PD Reporting


* SDMS Data Extraction

* PK Data Analysis

* PK Summary Reporting


Biostatistics


* Randomization

* Sample size estimation

* Trial Design Inputs

* Statistical Analysis Plan

* Statistical Analysis

* Biostatistics Subject Matter Expert


Statistical Reporting


* TLF Programming

* CDISC Data Mapping (SDTM &ADaM)

* Clinical Data Repository

* Pooled Data Analysis & Reporting

* Safety (ADR) Reporting

* Patient Profiles & Data Cleaning Reporting

Biometrics team in leading CRO’s in India is competent enough to assist at every clinical trail phases. The service portfolio here includes data management, statistical analysis & reporting, protocol writing, medical writing and Pharmacovigilance. The team is equipped with the innovative software systems such as Oracle Clinical, Clintrial, Rave, Inform, PheedIT, WinNonLin, SAS, SDMS & MedXview.

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Firm Defiance to Impair The Phishing Terrors

Phishing is a malicious threat that can cause serious afflictions in your business through your employees. Phishing attacks are launched in the form of emails that are sent from dubious websites but which appear to be genuine. If your employees are not aware about the perils of phishing they can be easily duped. The mails ask for confidential information like your bank account details and financial information. Your employees may think that these mails are sent from the original banks or financial institutions and share the information with criminals who waste no time in ruining your business. They will not hesitate to click on the links or attachments that are sent with the mails.

 

Although phishing is a fairly known threat there are many who may not be aware of its intensity to cause destruction. If you succumb to these attacks your normal operations will be disrupted which means financial losses. Also you will have to spend a lot on fixing the issue and getting your business back on track which means wastage of precious time. It is your responsibility to ensure that your employees are trained and educated sufficiently on how to recognize the symptoms and how to foil these attacks.

 

You need to deploy effective measures to provide your business with robust protection from phishing. The attackers use sophisticated means to dupe and extort information from your employees. Hence you need intelligent and intuitive anti-phishing tools that can help evaluate the phishing attacks and recommend solutions to address them effectively.

 

A good way to keep your employees updated about the phishing protection techniques is by deploying the automated anti-phishing software. This software saves you from vicious attacks by preparing a robust and impenetrable workforce. It launches mock phishing attacks and tracks the responses of your employees. Once the test is completed the results are analyzed and the employees are sent personalized emails with the results and tips on handling the attacks in a better manner. The anti phishing software is a value added tool that spares you the painful sufferings.

 

You cannot ignore the threats that surround your business or wait for it to take some decisive action. You have to be alert and proactive and inculcate practices to increase and spread phishing awareness within your organization. Employing an anti phishing tool helps your employees to correctly diagnose the risks and implement strategies to nullify their effects. When you operate a business you have to consider the pitfalls also, and enforce competent security policies to ensure comprehensive protection and well-being of your organization. The anti phishing software is useful when you hire new employees as they are also prepared to face the challenges.

Magnificent Strategies for Promising Order Fulfillment Results

Winning the customer’s adulation is the dream of every business but how many actually are successful in their efforts. Every day a new business is started. Month after month hard labor, time and money is invested. Yet the results do not show. It is only a handful that can make their mark in a saturated market. The market has become an open battleground where businesses resort to all kinds of tactics to sell their wares. The customers are wary about their decisions on whom to support and rely on.

 

Today’s environment is more about keeping your customers engaged with extraordinary performances. They are very smart and will not bat an eyelid to shift their loyalty to another business that offers them something better. You have to continuously reinvent your business strategies and adopt policies that give you the opportunity to enhance your standards and performances. Flexibility, reliability and a low risk disposition are admirable characteristics that can make your business stand out in the crowd.

 

The most significant quality is fulfilling your promises by delivering products or services on time. You must ensure that your business scores high in order fulfillment services by responding to the customer’s requests and queries on time and helping them with prompt solutions. You require efficient tools that have the capability to provide you with accurate and relevant information so that you can make important and potential business decisions without any delays or risks. The order fulfillment tools observe the compliance regulations with a committed attitude to ensure that the services are delivered in a secure environment.

 

The tools facilitate customization and configuration of the products to suit the requirements of the customers. They show highly proficient systems integration capabilities for a compelling returns management process by conducting tests and debugging efficiently. They ensure that there is no excess stock with limited life. The quality control management process is transparent and gives you the advantage of controlling the processes to meet the objectives.

 

You can gain the confidence of your customers by giving them an opportunity to test your products before making their purchasing decisions. However you need to also ensure that you do not suffer any losses due to damages or loss of products. The evaluation system helps you to monitor the products that you have given for trials and ensures that the products are returned to the inventory on time in its original condition. Those who employ intelligent strategies are the ones to achieve success in this cut-throat competition.

 

Learn more about : Retail Distribution & Supply Chain Solutions

Engineering Enterprise Contributing In Indian SEZ

As we summarize the chief advantages of SEZ benefits in India, then two essential points are of paramount importance. One is that it resulted in industrial promotion and the other being economic expansion through sustainable development. The introductory Special Economic Zone policy highlights that that Indian SEZ units would be offered along with financial benefits, lands would be available at subsidized rates, tax rebates and many more. The first SEZ policy in India was framed as a five year project that was said to start from November 2000 and go up to February 2006.

 

Essential Advantages of SEZ

 

Some of the key SEZ benefits are listed below:-

* A ten year tax holiday in a block of the initial 20 years

* Release from duties on all imports for project development

* There is no foreign ownership restrictions in developing zone infrastructure and no restrictions on repatriation

* There is complete liberty to establish township in to the SEZ with markets, residential areas, play grounds recreation centers, and clubs and without any restrictions on foreign ownership

* Income tax holidays on business income

* Procedural ease and efficiency for speedy approvals, clearances and customs procedures and dispute resolution

* Streamlining of procedures and self-certification in the labor acts

* Artificial harbor and handling bulk containers made operational through out the year

It is essential to mull on the fact that numerous enterprises and companies have put their best foot forward towards the development of special economic zones in India. Some of them have been eminent brand names specializing in aerospace manufacturing engineering. To name a notable endeavor would be Precision Engineering and Manufacturing SEZ in Belgaum. It is taken as one of the strongest hub for precision machining and other allied foundry operations for various automotive and industrial facilities. It is the presence of approximately 150 machine shops and 100 foundries and the availability of skilled labor at a competitive range is what adds value to the SEZ. This apart, it is also an organic, environment friendly and sustainable industrial environment.

Selected basic incentives and the SEZ benefits can be listed as below:-

* Bicycles for intra-zone mobility

* Water treatment plant

* Rain water harvesting

* A favorable landscape with a huge amphitheatre that is accessible and visible from across the entire campus

* An international standard landscaping with approximately 15,000 trees

* Sewage treatment plant

* A small stream that is presently existent is being transformed to a natural water body

Know more on: Oil and gas engineering services