Definition
HealthCare Information Security and Privacy Practitioner (HCISPP) is a professional certification offered by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC)². It demonstrates an individual’s expertise in managing, protecting, and securing health information and the privacy of healthcare data. This certification is essential for professionals who work in healthcare, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive patient information.
Phonetic
The phonetic pronunciation of ‘HealthCare Information Security and Privacy Practitioner’ is:HealthCare: /ˈhɛlθˌkɛr/Information: /ˌɪnfərˈmeɪʃən/Security: /sɪˈkjʊrɪti/and: /ænd/Privacy: /ˈpraɪvəsi/Practitioner: /ˌprækˈtɪʃənər/Put together, it reads: /ˈhɛlθˌkɛr ˌɪnfərˈmeɪʃən sɪˈkjʊrɪti ænd ˈpraɪvəsi ˌprækˈtɪʃənər/
Key Takeaways
- HealthCare Information Security and Privacy Practitioner (HCISPP) focuses on protecting patient information and managing cybersecurity risks in the healthcare industry.
- HCISPP certification demonstrates both knowledge and skill in implementing effective security and privacy controls, ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations such as HIPAA and GDPR.
- Earning an HCISPP certification validates one’s expertise in healthcare information security and privacy, improving career opportunities, professional credibility and the ability to contribute to the security of healthcare data systems.
Importance
The term HealthCare Information Security and Privacy Practitioner (HCISPP) is important because it represents a professional certification for individuals responsible for implementing, managing, and assessing security and privacy controls within the healthcare sector.
In an age of increasing cyber threats and data privacy concerns, healthcare organizations face significant risks related to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of patient information.
A certified HCISPP brings specialized knowledge and expertise to ensure the safeguarding of sensitive data, compliance with industry regulations, and best practices for information security within healthcare environments.
This ultimately promotes trust between healthcare providers, their patients, and stakeholders, while enhancing the overall quality of care and data protection within the industry.
Explanation
Healthcare Information Security and Privacy Practitioner (HCISPP) is a significant professional designation in the realm of healthcare-related information security and privacy. Its main purpose is to ensure proper management, protection, and handling of sensitive healthcare data within the ever-evolving technological landscape.
Individuals with HCISPP certification possess the expertise and competency to effectively recognize potential vulnerabilities, risks, and security threats within healthcare organizations. They play a key role in maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of patients’ personal health information, which is not only essential from an ethical standpoint but is also mandated by several data protection regulations, such as HIPAA in the United States.
The application of HCISPP encompasses a variety of uses, including the design and implementation of robust information security and privacy programs, the formulation of policies and procedures to minimize security breaches, and cultivating a culture of privacy awareness among healthcare employees. Additionally, HCISPP professionals are pivotal in ensuring compliance with relevant security and privacy standards, conducting risk assessments, and actively participating in managing incident responses if a breach occurs.
This comprehensive approach to healthcare information security contributes to patient trust in the healthcare system, an essential factor in fostering quality care and optimal patient outcomes. Consequently, HCISPP serves as a crucial component in safeguarding the healthcare sector from ever-evolving cyber threats and maintaining an effective healthcare information system that prioritizes patient data privacy.
Examples of HealthCare Information Security and Privacy Practitioner
Anthem Inc. Data Breach: In 2015, American health insurance provider Anthem Inc. experienced a massive data breach that compromised the personal information of nearly
8 million individuals. Cyber attackers gained unauthorized access to Anthem’s system and stole names, social security numbers, dates of birth, and contact information. As a HealthCare Information Security and Privacy Practitioner, one would analyze this situation to identify security vulnerabilities, develop strategies to prevent such incidents in the future, and ensure organizational compliance with privacy regulations like HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act).
St. Joseph Health System: In 2012, St. Joseph Health System faced a privacy incident that left private health information of around 31,800 patients exposed on the internet due to a misconfigured server. This security lapse resulted in the organization agreeing to pay a $
14 million settlement. A HealthCare Information Security and Privacy Practitioner would be tasked with implementing security measures, continuously monitoring system configurations, and training employees to maintain the highest level of security and privacy standards in healthcare organizations.
WannaCry Ransomware Attack on National Health Service (NHS): In 2017, the WannaCry ransomware attack impacted various organizations worldwide, including the UK’s National Health Service. The attack encrypted the data of affected computers, rendering them inaccessible and demanding a ransom. The NHS had to cancel appointments, surgeries, and reroute ambulances due to the attack’s impact on their information systems. HealthCare Information Security and Privacy Practitioners play a crucial role in preventing such incidents by ensuring healthcare organizations maintain robust cybersecurity measures, identify potential vulnerabilities and threats, and follow best practices to minimize the risk of data breaches and attacks.
HealthCare Information Security and Privacy Practitioner FAQ
What is a HealthCare Information Security and Privacy Practitioner (HCISPP)?
A HealthCare Information Security and Privacy Practitioner (HCISPP) is a professional who focuses on the implementation, management, and assessment of security and privacy controls to protect healthcare information and ensure compliance with regulations, laws, and industry standards.
Why should I become an HCISPP?
Becoming an HCISPP demonstrates your commitment to information security and privacy in the healthcare sector, validates your expertise in this specialized field, and enhances your career opportunities. In addition, the growing demand for professionals with healthcare security and privacy expertise makes this a valuable certification.
What are the prerequisites for becoming an HCISPP?
To qualify for the HCISPP exam, you need a minimum of two years of cumulative paid work experience in one or more of the six HCISPP domains. This experience must include a minimum of one year in either the security (Domain 1) or privacy (Domain 2) domain. You can also substitute educational or professional certifications for up to one year of experience.
What are the HCISPP domains?
The HCISPP domains are as follows:
- Domain 1: Healthcare Industry
- Domain 2: Regulatory Environment
- Domain 3: Privacy and Security in Healthcare
- Domain 4: Information Governance and Risk Management
- Domain 5: Information Risk Assessment
- Domain 6: Third-Party Risk Management
How do I prepare for the HCISPP exam?
You can prepare for the HCISPP exam by reviewing the official HCISPP certification exam outline, attending training courses or webinars, participating in study groups, and using self-paced study resources like books, practice exams, and online tutorials.
How much does the HCISPP exam cost?
The cost of the HCISPP exam varies based on your location and membership status with (ISC)². Typically, the exam fees range from $349 to $599. It is highly recommended to check the (ISC)² website for the latest pricing details.
How long does the HCISPP certification last, and how do I maintain it?
The HCISPP certification is valid for three years. To maintain your certification, you must earn and submit a total of 60 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits during the three-year period and pay an annual maintenance fee. CPEs can be earned through various professional development activities, such as attending conferences, webinars, training courses, and completing relevant self-study materials.
Related Technology Terms
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- Information security risk assessment
- Encryption and data protection
- Electronic health record (EHR) security
- Healthcare data breach response
Sources for More Information
- Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS): https://www.himss.org
- International Information System Security Certification Consortium, Inc. (ISC)²: https://www.isc2.org
- Journal of HealthCare Information Management (JHIM): https://www.jhimdigital.org
- HealthIT.gov – HealthIT Security: https://www.healthit.gov/topic/health-it-security
