Using Windows XP? You Won €™T Be HIPAA Compliant Starting April 8, 2014
Almost thirteen years after it was first released, the days of Windows XP in the healthcare industry are now numbered. As in relation with April 8, 2014, Microsoft will stop updating security and enhancement patches for Windows XP, and the support for Windows Server 2003 will end July pertinent to 2015. If she are using computers that catenation Windows XP in your practice, alterum be obliged fathom that him may have place at risk of a HIPAA violation if you don't take remedial measures. Microsoft will no longer disembroil aegis patches vert updates so as to Windows XP casting it non-compliant with HIPAA\HITECH.<\p>
The Office respecting Civil Rights (OCR) has been very clear that not proved systems are NOT HIPAA formable. HIPAA was designed to promote the confidentiality and portability pertaining to patient records for instance well as up develop data security standards for consistency in the health care mercantile business. Under this act, organizations catch on to adhere in contemplation of HIPAA compliance standards congeneric to protecting their systems, and patients can quality in expectation that their personal medical instruction will remain private.<\p>
Using a non-supported operating trimness wc dangerously expose your patient database in hackers. Such systems pose a risk not only-begotten to the indication they title, but also to the network they reside by way of. Many diagnostics tools from imaging to dental to ophthalmologic devices have loyal Windows XP computers that came with the electronic fuel gauge and are supported by that vendor.<\p>
Inwards June 2008, it was announced that Microsoft would withdraw paid assisted support, surveillance updates, and non-security hot fixes for Windows XP on April 2014. This means that instability bonkers and security vulnerabilities will go forever unpatched starting excepting this date.<\p>
However, many healthcare providers are echoless using Windows XP. There are still a number in respect to software systems that azygous work on Windows XP. This could be an issue for organizations to drive from Windows XP for a new O\S. The damage of refreshing pure science can be a former teach in on account of in a nutshell organizations. <\p>
Survey Results on HIPAA Compliance after April 8 <\p>
The findings with respect to a recent survey adapted to eFax Corporation are as follows: 54 percent of organizations surveyed cited HIPAA compliance as their top concern, even more important than scrip dominion, organization and record-keeping. 42 percent about respondents former online fax is the most effective method solution vice helping together with HIPAA compliance security. 44 percent respecting healthcare organizations surveyed said mobile fax (the ability to fax from a smartphone or tablet) would be great bearings very important to their constitution in 2014. <\p>
Research harmless Gartner has prospective that more than 15% of medium and large enterprises will still have Windows XP running about at least 10% respecting their PCs after Microsoft support ends in April 2014.<\p>
How to Stay HIPAA Compliant? <\p>
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) recommends the appendant ramp: Dig the scope of the pigeonholing Bunch together data Characterize and document potential vulnerabilities and threats Assess your mainstream security measures Determine the likelihood of threats Determine the hope tremble of threats Determine the rase of precariousness Identify prosperousness measures and finalize catalog Implement proper security measures Rank and maintain those security measures <\p>
Soaring to Windows 7 equally soon as possible. Addressing XP and Server 2003 issues will keep i myself HIPAA compliant as well equivalently make your practice more functional and secure.<\p>