HIPAA Compliance Enforcement News | What Businesses Need to Know
Meet Roger Severino: The New Face of HIPAA Enforcement
Roger Severino has made it clear that HIPAA compliance enforcement is about to get tougher. Recently appointed as the Director of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR), Severino now leads the federal agency responsible for investigating and penalizing HIPAA violations.
His goal is simple and direct: to find what he calls a “big, egregious breach case” that can serve as a public example for the entire healthcare industry. For organizations handling Protected Health Information (PHI), that should be a wake-up call.
A Renewed Focus on Accountability
Since taking office, Severino has begun tightening the reins on healthcare organizations and business associates that fail to meet HIPAA requirements. One of his first actions was to overhaul the agency’s public database known as the “Wall of Shame,” which tracks and displays reported HIPAA breaches.
The old version was outdated and hard to navigate. The new system now provides clearer, more comprehensive information about each violation, including whether corrective actions have been taken and the current status of each case.
This transparency makes it easier than ever for patients, regulators, and competitors to see how an organization handles security incidents—and that increased visibility means compliance mistakes will be harder to hide.
Why This Matters for Your Organization
Roger Severino’s message is unmistakable: HIPAA enforcement will be proactive, public, and strict. Companies that mishandle PHI or fail to secure their systems risk heavy penalties, reputational damage, and potential legal action.
If your business stores or transmits patient information, you must ensure that your security measures, access controls, and documentation meet all HIPAA requirements.
Data breaches are no longer viewed as unfortunate accidents; they are often treated as preventable events. That means “I didn’t know” is no longer an acceptable excuse.
Steps to Protect Your Practice
Avoiding the OCR’s attention starts with strengthening your cybersecurity posture. Practical steps include:
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Conducting a formal Security Risk Analysis (SRA)
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Encrypting all PHI stored or transmitted electronically
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Implementing multi-factor authentication and access controls
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Maintaining offsite, secure data backups
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Training staff regularly on HIPAA policies and threat awareness
Strong cybersecurity practices don’t just prevent data loss—they also ensure compliance with HIPAA and Meaningful Use standards.
Stay Secure and Compliant
With increased enforcement on the horizon, the time to review your data protection strategy is now. Make sure your systems are secure, your policies are up to date, and your staff is properly trained to safeguard patient data.
Computer Networks, Inc. helps medical practices and small businesses across Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Roanoke, VA maintain full HIPAA compliance and prevent costly data breaches.
Call 757-333-3299 x200 or email info@computernetworksinc.com to schedule a confidential security assessment today.
