Technical Safeguards
What Are Technical Safeguards in HIPAA Compliance?
Technical safeguards are one of the three key categories of protection recommended for covered entities and business associates under the HIPAA Security Rule. They refer to technologies and digital policies used to protect and control access to electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI).
As healthcare services are becoming more digitized every year, technical safeguards play an important role in protecting sensitive patient information and ensuring that all healthcare clinics maintain proper data management hygiene.
Technical safeguards are especially important in managing HIPAA-compliant email systems and ensuring secure communications between providers, patients, and third-party vendors do not expose PHI.
Core Components of Technical Safeguards
- Access Control: Requiring unique user IDs, automatic logoff, and emergency access procedures.
- Encryption and Decryption: Ensuring that data is unreadable to unauthorized users during transmission and storage.
- Audit Controls: Tracking system activity and maintaining logs for review.
- Integrity Controls: Preventing and detecting unauthorized alterations to ePHI.
- Authentication Measures: Using multi-factor authentication to verify the identity of users.
- Firewalls and Secure Storage: Technical measures that block unauthorized access to PHI.
Why Technical Safeguards Matter
Healthcare data is one of the most valuable targets for cybercriminals. Without strong technical controls, healthcare providers risk exposing sensitive patient data to breaches, fines, and loss of trust. Employing strong technical safeguards along with physical and administrative safeguards is one of the most effective ways to stay HIPAA Compliant.
HIPAA-compliant email platforms like Brightsquid Secure-Mail are built with these safeguards embedded, ensuring secure data transmission, access tracking, and audit readiness. When combined with administrative and physical measures, technical safeguards form a comprehensive defence system for ePHI.
Related Terms
Two Factor Authentication
End-to-End Encryption
Privacy Policy