The HIPAA Omnibus Final Rule is now in effect and audits will continue in 2014. At the HIMSS Privacy and Security Forum in Boston on Sept. 23, Leon Rodriguez, director of the Department of Health and Human Services' Office for Civil Rights said to those who are wondering how the new rule will be enforced: "You'll see a picture of where we'll spend our energies" based on previous enforcement actions.  Enforcement actions to date have focused on cases involving major security failures, where a breach incident led to investigations that revealed larger systemic issues, Rodriguez said.

On our list of 9 HIPAA Network Considerations, it is timely that our topic in this blog is on#7, Security best practices are essential.

1. HIPAA Audits will continue
2. The HIPAA Audit Protocol and NIST 800-66 are your best preparation
3. Knowledge is a powerful weapon