Healthcare organizations are prime targets for cyber threats due to their vast amounts of sensitive patient data. To ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, medical practices, hospitals, and healthcare IT providers must undergo cybersecurity audits. These audits assess vulnerabilities, HIPAA compliance, risk management practices, and data security measures. Failure to comply with cybersecurity standards can result in penalties, litigation, reputational damage, and federal enforcement actions.
This course provides an in-depth legal analysis of healthcare cybersecurity audits, covering federal and state compliance requirements, audit preparation, enforcement risks, third-party vendor management, cybersecurity frameworks, breach response strategies, and best practices for passing audits. Students will gain expertise in conducting internal audits, managing external audits, responding to security assessments, and mitigating legal risks in cybersecurity compliance.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students will:
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Understand the Legal and Regulatory Framework Governing Cybersecurity Audits – Analyze HIPAA, HITECH, NIST, FTC regulations, and state-specific cybersecurity laws.
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Evaluate Cybersecurity Risks and Compliance Obligations in Healthcare – Learn how to conduct risk assessments and comply with cybersecurity best practices.
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Examine the Role of Federal Agencies in Cybersecurity Audits – Study the enforcement actions of the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the Department of Justice (DOJ).
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Analyze Third-Party Risk Management in Cybersecurity Audits – Review business associate agreements (BAAs), vendor security audits, and liability considerations.
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Assess How to Prepare for and Respond to External Cybersecurity Audits – Develop strategies for handling OCR investigations, insurance audits, and independent security reviews.
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Explore Best Practices for Preventing Legal Liability in Cybersecurity Audits – Investigate how to document compliance efforts, correct deficiencies, and avoid penalties.
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Identify Strategies for Handling Post-Audit Remediation and Compliance Violations – Learn how to respond to adverse audit findings and mitigate enforcement risks.
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Prepare for Future Trends and Legislative Changes in Healthcare Cybersecurity Audits – Examine new laws, emerging security risks, and evolving compliance requirements.
