Healthcare cybersecurity and HIPAA compliance (and non-compliance) is constantly in the news, and usually not in a good sense. Ransomware attacks, especially, have plagued the industry. A study by the Ponemon Institute found that 92% of healthcare organizations experienced a cyberattack in 2024. And the average number of attacks among those organizations was 40. In response, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has proposed an extensive update of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to raise standards for cybersecurity and data protection within the healthcare industry.
Expected changes range from requiring documentation of cyber assets and infrastructure, implementation of active patch management, more stringent encryption for electronic health records (EHR), protected health information (PHI), and other data, digital supply chain security, adoption of multifactor authentication, and a lot more.
Top Ten HIPAA File Transfer Compliance Checklist
HIPAA compliance is already a daunting task, and the proposed changes mean an even greater challenge awaits healthcare organizations. But for users of a well-engineered secure, managed file transfer (MFT) solution like Diplomat MFT, meeting some of HIPAA’s current and expected requirements are simple. Here are ten ways that a secure, managed file transfer solution helps with HIPAA compliance:
Download our HIPAA Compliance Guide
1. Automates PGP Encryption Management – Encryption is a foundational element of HIPAA compliance, but encryption management can be a complicated process, leading to errors or avoidance. PGP encryption automation of electronic health records (EHR), protected health information (PHI), and other sensitive data ensures data is protected and meets the requirements for HIPAA file encryption rules.
2. Captures Process Data for Compliance Audits – Post-incident investigations require evidence that an organization was in compliance with regulations. By capturing file transfer process data you have documentation to support compliance, as well as information to aid in digital forensic investigations, satisfying HIPAA compliance guidelines for healthcare IT teams.
3. Minimizes the Risk of Human Error – Multiple studies show that mistakes are a factor in more than 90% of all data breaches. Automating encryption and the execution of sensitive file transfers virtually eliminates human error.
4. Helps Secure the Digital Supply Chain – A good MFT solution should enable HIPAA-compliant third-party integrations to automate the delivery and receipt of information with partners, suppliers, associates, and other vendors in healthcare supply chains to mitigate the risk of a data beach when support for a platform is standardized.
5. Provides Role-Based Administrative Privileges – Limiting access to data and certain high-level management functions on a “need to know” basis minimizes the chance of mistakes and intentional data mismanagement.
6. Conforms with Best Practices for Multifactor Authentication (MFA) – A likely requirement in the coming changes to HIPAA, MFA is a best practice for security and digital hygiene that makes it harder for unauthorized individuals to gain access to sensitive data and systems.
7. Supports Recipient Confirmation – Files sent to the wrong destination (misdelivery) are a common mistake in data management. A good MFT solution provides guardrails to ensure files are only sent to the correct recipient.
8. Uses a DMZ to Prevent Exposure of Unsecured Data to Public Networks – Administrative dashboards and file transfer servers that operate outside the firewall and exposed to public networks have been exploited by threat actors to devastating effect. A properly designed and deployed MFT solution prevents this type of unnecessary exposure.
9. Supports SFTP for Transport Data Protection – Unencrypted data that accompanies files in transit can give threat actors information they can use in cyberattacks. Using SFTP to secure transport data ensures maximal protection and assurance of data authenticity.
10. Supports Advanced Encryption for Post-Quantum Readiness – Proposed changes to HIPAA include guidance to ensure data security upon the advent of quantum computing. That means supporting NIST standards for quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms. Diplomat MFT already follows these guidelines.
For more information about how securing and automating healthcare file transfers can help your organization comply with HIPAA regulations today and when expected changes occur, download Your Guide to HIPAA Compliant File Transfers with important information about HIPAA compliance today and for the changes to come.