Email vs Text: Security, Compliance, and What HIPAA Actually Requires
When organizations compare email vs text, the discussion often begins with operational efficiency, without first determining whether the communication method can meet HIPAA Security Rule requirements. However, once electronic protected health information (ePHI) is created, transmitted, or referenced, the method of communication must be evaluated strictly through a HIPAA compliance lens, not preference or habit.... Continue reading
Windows Azure HIPAA Compliance: What Healthcare Organizations Must Configure
Windows Azure HIPAA compliance is not automatic — and assuming it is one of the most common ways healthcare organizations accidentally violate HIPAA. Microsoft Azure can support HIPAA-regulated workloads, including Windows virtual machines and databases, but HIPAA compliance depends entirely on how Azure is configured, governed, and monitored. Simply running Windows servers on Azure does... Continue reading
Is Gmail HIPAA Compliant?
Short answer:No — Gmail is NOT HIPAA compliant by default.However, Gmail can be configured to support HIPAA compliance if (and only if) very specific technical, administrative, and contractual requirements are met. This distinction is where many healthcare organizations get into trouble. Simply using Gmail — even with Google’s strong security — does not make your... Continue reading
Common HIPAA Compliance Mistakes Healthcare Practices Still Make
Common HIPAA compliance mistakes are still the leading cause of OCR investigations, breach notifications, and costly penalties across the healthcare industry. What surprises most organizations is that these violations rarely come from sophisticated cyberattacks — they come from everyday operational mistakes involving email, websites, staff workflows, and vendors. → Not sure where your biggest HIPAA... Continue reading
