Expert HIPAA Risk Analysis & Compliance Support for Your Practice
Every day, you refer your patients to board-certified specialists to ensure they receive the highest standard of care. Shouldn’t your practice do the same when it comes to HIPAA risk analysis and cybersecurity?
As a Practice Administrator, you’ve likely heard the question:
“Why do we have to invest so much in security and HIPAA compliance when we never had to before?”
The reality is that cyber threats, data breaches, and regulatory audits are increasing, and compliance is no longer optional—it’s essential for protecting patient data, avoiding fines, and securing your reputation.
Why a Professional HIPAA Risk Analysis Matters
The federal government mandates that healthcare organizations conduct a thorough and professional risk analysis to meet HIPAA Security Rule requirements. According to HealthIT.gov, achieving full compliance requires expert knowledge and experience, which is why outsourcing to HIPAA security specialists is highly recommended.
At Computer Networks, Inc., we specialize in:
Comprehensive HIPAA Risk Assessments – Identifying vulnerabilities in electronic health records (EHR), network security, and access controls.
Regulatory Compliance Support – Ensuring your practice meets HIPAA, HITECH, and NIST standards to pass audits and avoid penalties.
Security & IT Infrastructure Optimization – Implementing cybersecurity best practices, encryption, and real-time monitoring to protect sensitive electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI).
Ongoing HIPAA Training & Documentation – Helping your team stay informed and compliant with the latest HIPAA security requirements.
12 Critical Things Every Medical Practice Administrator Must Know About HIPAA Compliance
At Computer Networks, Inc., we do more than hand you a HIPAA Risk Analysis report—we partner with you to ensure your practice is secure, compliant, and protected from data breaches.
- Data breach prevention is the foundation of HIPAA compliance. A secure network is the key to HIPAA and Meaningful Use compliance. The cost of a data breach is staggering—averaging $201 per patient record in damages. Multiplying that by the number of records in your system makes the financial risk clear.
- A HIPAA breach leads to malpractice lawsuits. A documented HIPAA violation serves as evidence in malpractice lawsuits, making compliance essential for legal protection.
- A Security Risk Analysis (SRA) is not optional—it is required. Your first HIPAA Risk Analysis is due in 2005, and updates remain mandatory. If you attest to Meaningful Use, you must conduct a Risk Analysis before attestation and mitigate risks during the reporting period.
- A thorough risk analysis goes beyond the surface. Just like diagnosing a patient without an X-ray or blood test leads to incomplete results, a HIPAA Risk Analysis must assess underlying vulnerabilities in your network, software, and security infrastructure.
- Major organizational changes require an updated risk analysis. A HIPAA Risk Analysis must be updated whenever your practice undergoes significant changes, such as implementing a new EHR system, losing or adding a business partner, or moving to a new office location.
- HHS requires more than just policies—you need documented compliance. Having Policies and Procedures in place is not enough. Health and Human Services (HHS) requires documented proof that your practice is compliant.
- Failure to conduct a proper risk analysis is the number one HIPAA violation. Every organization except one that faces an Office of Civil Rights (OCR) investigation resulting in Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) and Resolution Agreements (RAs) is cited for failing to conduct a proper Security Risk Analysis. The one organization that completes a Risk Analysis is penalized for identifying risks but failing to mitigate them.
- HIPAA audits show widespread risk analysis failures. In 2012, 68% of organizations audited have adverse findings related to their HIPAA Risk Analysis, highlighting the widespread failure to meet compliance standards.
- Business Associate Agreements (BAA) must be up to date. As of September 22, 2014, every practice must sign new BAAs with all vendors to comply with the Omnibus Rule changes made in January 2013. If your Business Associate Agreements are outdated, your practice is at risk.
- Data breaches trigger immediate HIPAA audits. If your practice experiences a data breach, the OCR conducts an audit, and the first thing they request is your most recent HIPAA Risk Analysis.
- HIPAA compliance is an ongoing process, not a one-time task. Security threats and regulations evolve, meaning your compliance strategy must be continuously updated to protect patient data and avoid costly penalties. In April 2024, the HIPAA Privacy Rule was amended to enhance protections for reproductive health information. These changes took effect on June 25, 2024, and enforcement began on December 23, 2024.
- A HIPAA Risk Analysis is more than a requirement—it’s a safeguard. A thorough HIPAA Risk Analysis helps prevent cyber threats, unauthorized access, and legal liabilities while ensuring your practice runs smoothly and securely. In 2023, over 167 million individuals were affected by large healthcare data breaches, underscoring the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures. The proposed HIPAA Security Rule enhancements aim to address these escalating threats and protect patient information more effectively.
HIPAA Security Rule
§ 164.312
“Implement technical security measures to guard against unauthorized access to electronic protected health information that is being transmitted over an electronic communications network.”
Fast & Reliable Remote IT Services for Your Practice
When your computer network is down, you don’t have hours to wait—you need immediate IT support to keep your practice running smoothly. Instead of waiting for a technician to arrive on-site, our remote IT services provide instant troubleshooting and problem resolution.
With secure remote access, our IT specialists can connect to your network, diagnose issues, and implement solutions in real-time, minimizing downtime and disruptions to your workflow. Whether it’s a software glitch, security concern, or network failure, we ensure fast, efficient, and HIPAA-compliant support.
At Computer Networks, Inc., we leverage advanced remote IT solutions to resolve IT issues quickly without the wait for on-site support, provide 24/7 monitoring and proactive maintenance to prevent future problems, and ensure secure, HIPAA-compliant remote access to protect patient data and meet compliance standards.
When you partner with Computer Networks for IT services, your company also gains access to these valuable benefits:
Extensive Knowledge
We can help you with every computer related issue, including working directly with your 3rd party vendors to solve your problems.
Affordable Fees
We have a monthly plan that will suit your budget.
Worry Free IT
We fix all of your issues: answer questions, hardware, software and network.
With Computer Networks, Inc., your medical practice can grow with confidence, knowing that our 24/7/365 IT support and cybersecurity solutions are keeping your systems secure, compliant, and running smoothly.
We specialize in HIPAA-compliant IT services, network security, and electronic health record (EHR) management, ensuring your practice meets regulatory requirements while minimizing downtime and cybersecurity risks.
Whether you’re in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, or Suffolk, Virginia, our expert team is ready to provide managed IT services, remote support, and proactive security solutions tailored to the unique needs of healthcare providers.
Call us today at 757-333-3299 to learn how we can protect and optimize your medical practice’s IT infrastructure.