Start the New Year Compliant with Practicefirst’s Cybersecurity Checklist for 2024!

As we welcome the New Year, Practicefirst reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding our clients.  Here is a checklist of 5 best practices for cybersecurity compliance in 2024: 

✅ Access Controls

• Implement role-based access controls to ensure your employees have the minimum necessary access required for their roles. This limits the amount of information that could be compromised in the event of a breach.
• Regularly review and update user permissions based on job responsibilities, especially as employees are onboarded or terminated.
• Learn more about the Minimum Use Requirement.

✅ Data Encryption & Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

• Encrypt sensitive data both in transit and at rest to protect it from unauthorized access.
• Require the use of MFA on all devices with the potential ability to access PHI or PII.

✅ Regular Audits and Monitoring

• Conduct regular security audits to identify vulnerabilities and potential threats in your information systems.
• Implement continuous monitoring tools to detect and respond to suspicious activities promptly. These systems identify patterns and notify you when something appears out of the ordinary.

✅ Employee Training

• Provide comprehensive, ongoing training on best practices for all employees on data security and privacy.
• Foster a culture of security awareness to prevent accidental security breaches.
• Explore phishing training for heightened awareness of common scams. 

✅ Incident Response Plan (IRP)

• Develop and regularly update an incident response plan outlining steps to be taken in the event of a security incident.
• Conduct regular drills to ensure all team members are familiar with the response procedures.
• Access guidance on developing an Incident Response Plan that fits your practice.