Blog
March 21, 2025

A Guide to Data Classification for HIPAA and Healthcare Organisations

Protect PHI and achieve HIPAA compliance. Discover how Metomic's data classification tool safeguards sensitive data for your healthcare organisations.

Download
Download

Key points 

  • Data classification is a critical component of data security strategies in healthcare. Healthcare organisations must classify different types of data to mitigate risks and ensure compliance with HIPAA and other key regulations.
  • Effective data classification helps protect sensitive information like PHI (Protected Health Information).
  • Discover, classify and secure your sensitive data with Metomic's AI-powered data classification solution. Maintaining control and compliance across your ecosystem has never been easier.‍
  • Request a demo today to see how Metomic can keep your healthcare organisation HIPAA compliant and your PHI data secure.

With approximately 30% of the world's data volume generated by the healthcare industry, healthcare organisations need to classify and manage data effectively.

Data classification is crucial for protecting sensitive healthcare information. It’s not just about keeping things secure—it’s also about staying on the right side of federal regulations like HIPAA. 

By classifying data properly, organisations can better protect patient records and ensure you're meeting compliance requirements.

In this guide, we’ll take a look at why data classification is so important for healthcare organisations, the challenges you might face, and how to get it right. 

We’ll also talk about the benefits of data classification, from avoiding data breaches to meeting those tough regulatory requirements. 

What is data classification, and how does it relate to healthcare organisations and HIPAA?

Data classification refers to the process of organising data based on its sensitivity and importance. The goal is to make certain that sensitive data receives enhanced protection, while less critical data is given the appropriate amount of care. 

In healthcare, data classification is essential for safeguarding Protected Health Information (PHI) and complying with regulations like HIPAA. Without a clear classification system, healthcare organisations risk mishandling sensitive information, which can lead to data breaches or non-compliance issues.

When healthcare organisations classify their data, they can implement stronger controls to prevent data misuse. For example, 75% of organisations that don't classify their data upon creation take days to detect misuse, while 27% of those that do classify data on creation spot misuse within minutes.

By categorising data, organisations can respond faster and minimise the impact of potential breaches.

What type of healthcare data requires classifying?

Not all data in healthcare is the same—some is far more sensitive and needs extra protection.

Here’s a look at the key types of data that healthcare organisations need to classify:

  • Protected Health Information (PHI): This includes anything that can identify a patient, like medical records, test results, diagnoses, and prescriptions. PHI is highly regulated under laws like HIPAA, so mishandling it can result in serious penalties.
  • Financial data: This covers payment details, billing information, and insurance claims. It’s a prime target for fraud, so it requires careful classification.
  • Personally Identifiable Information (PII): Data like names, addresses, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers, which can be used to identify people. PII is a key target for cybercriminals, making it critical to classify and protect.

With 25% of publicly shared files owned by healthcare organisations containing Personally Identifiable Information (PII), it's clear why proper classification is a must.

Why is it important for healthcare organisations to classify data?

Classifying data isn’t just about being organised—without a clear classification system in place, healthcare organisations face serious consequences.

Here’s why data classification is so important:

  • Minimising risks: Unclassified data is far more vulnerable to misuse, whether it's accidental or intentional. Without proper categories in place, healthcare organisations can’t tell which data needs extra protection. This opens the door to potential breaches.
  • Protecting patient information and maintaining compliance: Properly classifying data ensures sensitive information—like PHI and PII—remains secure. It also helps healthcare organisations meet regulatory requirements, such as HIPAA, which can be complicated and subject to frequent audits. A solid classification system simplifies the process of staying compliant and avoiding costly fines.
  • Avoiding financial and reputational damage: Data breaches can have serious financial and reputational consequences. According to IBM, the average cost of a breach in healthcare is now $9.77 million—significantly higher than the global average of $4.88 million. Beyond the costs, healthcare organisations risk losing patient trust and damaging their reputation, which can take years to rebuild.

Classifying data properly helps mitigate these risks by keeping patient information protected, ensuring compliance, and reducing the potential for costly breaches.

What heathcare compliance regulations must they adhere to?

Healthcare organisations have to adhere to various regulations designed to protect sensitive data, ensure patient privacy, and maintain data security. 

These regulations not only impact how organisations handle and classify data, but also shape their data management policies and procedures. 

Here’s an overview of some of the key regulations that healthcare organisations must comply with:

1. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)‍

HIPAA is the most well-known healthcare compliance regulations, designed to protect patient information in the US, ensuring it remains confidential and secure. Organisations must implement safeguards to protect data, conduct regular training, and have contingency plans in place. Non-compliance can lead to penalties ranging from $141 to $2,134,831 per violation, with annual caps of up to $2,067,813.

Shockingly, 89% of audited entities fail to comply with the Right of Access under HIPAA, and 67% fail to meet requirements for breach notifications. Healthcare organisations need to stay on top of these regulations to avoid costly penalties and reputational damage, and comprehensive data classification is critical for meeting these compliance demands as well as protecting sensitive patient data.

2. HITECH Act (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act)

The HITECH Act promotes the use of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) to improve healthcare quality and safety. Compliance involves regular audits, encryption of data, and ensuring systems are interoperable. Failure to comply can result in financial penalties and loss of incentives.

3. 21st Century Cures Act‍

This act accelerates medical product development and ensures innovation reaches patients faster. Healthcare organisations need to meet data sharing, privacy, and security requirements to comply. Non-compliance can result in delays, legal actions, and damage to reputation.

4. GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)

For healthcare organisations handling EU citizen data, GDPR sets strict guidelines on data protection and privacy. Organisations must conduct Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) and appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) where needed. Non-compliance can lead to fines averaging €2,142,712 ($2.34 million).

5. CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act)

The CCPA gives California residents rights regarding their personal information, including the right to opt-out of data sales and access, delete, or transfer their data. Non-compliance can result in significant fines, as seen in June 2024, when a gaming company was fined $500,000 for violating children's privacy provisions.‍

6. HITRUST CSF (Health Information Trust Alliance Common Security Framework)

HITRUST CSF provides a comprehensive, flexible approach to regulatory compliance. Organisations must undergo rigorous assessments and achieve certification to comply. Failure to comply can lead to vulnerabilities in security and loss of trust.

7. Information Blocking Rule

This rule prohibits practices that block access to or sharing of Electronic Health Information (EHI). Organisations must ensure transparency and patient-centric data sharing. Non-compliance can result in investigations and penalties.

8. Interoperability and Patient Access Final Rule

The aim of this rule is to give patients better access to their health information and promote interoperability. Organisations must provide standardised APIs to share data and ensure privacy and security. Non-compliance can damage patient trust and hinder efficient care.

Read More: 8 Essential Healthcare Regulations Organisations Must Comply With

6 best practices for healthcare data classification 

When it comes to classifying and protecting healthcare data, it’s important to follow some tried-and-true practices that not only meet regulatory requirements but also ensure your organisation’s data stays safe.

Here’s a look at some key steps healthcare organisations can take to get it right:

1. Create a clear data classification policy

Start by developing a simple, easy-to-understand policy for classifying your data. Whether it's personal information, patient records, or financial details, making sure each type gets the right level of protection is a must.

2. Use the right tools for the job

There are plenty of tools out there that can help automate data classification. DLP (Data Loss Prevention) software and encryption technologies, for example, can help flag and secure sensitive information automatically, reducing the risk of human error.

3. Train your staff regularly

Data classification isn’t just about systems; it’s also about your people. Regular training ensures everyone knows the rules and the risks. The HIPAA Journal found that more than half of healthcare workers failed a HIPAA assessment, so keeping your team up to speed on data protection is crucial to avoiding costly mistakes.

4. Audit and update regularly

It’s not enough to set things up once. As data grows and regulations change, it’s important to keep checking and updating your processes. Regular risk audits will help keep you on track and ensure you're always compliant.

5. Limit access to sensitive data

Apply the principle of least privilege—only those who need access to sensitive data should have it. This keeps healthcare information secure and reduces the chance of accidental or malicious leaks.

6. Monitor and act on data access

Always keep an eye on who’s accessing sensitive information. If something doesn’t look right, act fast to stop a potential breach before it escalates.

🔒See Metomic's in Action: Request a Demo

Metomic offers robust tools for managing and updating data labels at scale. If data is misclassified or if its sensitivity level changes, Metomic allows you to quickly add, remove, or modify labels across your entire data environment.

This ensures that your data classification strategy remains accurate and up-to-date, helping to protect your organisation against emerging risks and maintaining compliance with evolving regulations.

Request a demo with our security experts. They’ll guide you through how Metomic’s solutions can be tailored to fit your organisation's specific data classification and HIPAA compliance needs.

Table of content
Table of contents
Table of contents
Table of contents
Table of contents
Table of contents

Ben van Enckevort

CTO and Co-Founder

Ben van Enckevort is the co-founder and CTO of Metomic

Key points 

  • Data classification is a critical component of data security strategies in healthcare. Healthcare organisations must classify different types of data to mitigate risks and ensure compliance with HIPAA and other key regulations.
  • Effective data classification helps protect sensitive information like PHI (Protected Health Information).
  • Discover, classify and secure your sensitive data with Metomic's AI-powered data classification solution. Maintaining control and compliance across your ecosystem has never been easier.‍
  • Request a demo today to see how Metomic can keep your healthcare organisation HIPAA compliant and your PHI data secure.

With approximately 30% of the world's data volume generated by the healthcare industry, healthcare organisations need to classify and manage data effectively.

Data classification is crucial for protecting sensitive healthcare information. It’s not just about keeping things secure—it’s also about staying on the right side of federal regulations like HIPAA. 

By classifying data properly, organisations can better protect patient records and ensure you're meeting compliance requirements.

In this guide, we’ll take a look at why data classification is so important for healthcare organisations, the challenges you might face, and how to get it right. 

We’ll also talk about the benefits of data classification, from avoiding data breaches to meeting those tough regulatory requirements. 

What is data classification, and how does it relate to healthcare organisations and HIPAA?

Data classification refers to the process of organising data based on its sensitivity and importance. The goal is to make certain that sensitive data receives enhanced protection, while less critical data is given the appropriate amount of care. 

In healthcare, data classification is essential for safeguarding Protected Health Information (PHI) and complying with regulations like HIPAA. Without a clear classification system, healthcare organisations risk mishandling sensitive information, which can lead to data breaches or non-compliance issues.

When healthcare organisations classify their data, they can implement stronger controls to prevent data misuse. For example, 75% of organisations that don't classify their data upon creation take days to detect misuse, while 27% of those that do classify data on creation spot misuse within minutes.

By categorising data, organisations can respond faster and minimise the impact of potential breaches.

What type of healthcare data requires classifying?

Not all data in healthcare is the same—some is far more sensitive and needs extra protection.

Here’s a look at the key types of data that healthcare organisations need to classify:

  • Protected Health Information (PHI): This includes anything that can identify a patient, like medical records, test results, diagnoses, and prescriptions. PHI is highly regulated under laws like HIPAA, so mishandling it can result in serious penalties.
  • Financial data: This covers payment details, billing information, and insurance claims. It’s a prime target for fraud, so it requires careful classification.
  • Personally Identifiable Information (PII): Data like names, addresses, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers, which can be used to identify people. PII is a key target for cybercriminals, making it critical to classify and protect.

With 25% of publicly shared files owned by healthcare organisations containing Personally Identifiable Information (PII), it's clear why proper classification is a must.

Why is it important for healthcare organisations to classify data?

Classifying data isn’t just about being organised—without a clear classification system in place, healthcare organisations face serious consequences.

Here’s why data classification is so important:

  • Minimising risks: Unclassified data is far more vulnerable to misuse, whether it's accidental or intentional. Without proper categories in place, healthcare organisations can’t tell which data needs extra protection. This opens the door to potential breaches.
  • Protecting patient information and maintaining compliance: Properly classifying data ensures sensitive information—like PHI and PII—remains secure. It also helps healthcare organisations meet regulatory requirements, such as HIPAA, which can be complicated and subject to frequent audits. A solid classification system simplifies the process of staying compliant and avoiding costly fines.
  • Avoiding financial and reputational damage: Data breaches can have serious financial and reputational consequences. According to IBM, the average cost of a breach in healthcare is now $9.77 million—significantly higher than the global average of $4.88 million. Beyond the costs, healthcare organisations risk losing patient trust and damaging their reputation, which can take years to rebuild.

Classifying data properly helps mitigate these risks by keeping patient information protected, ensuring compliance, and reducing the potential for costly breaches.

What heathcare compliance regulations must they adhere to?

Healthcare organisations have to adhere to various regulations designed to protect sensitive data, ensure patient privacy, and maintain data security. 

These regulations not only impact how organisations handle and classify data, but also shape their data management policies and procedures. 

Here’s an overview of some of the key regulations that healthcare organisations must comply with:

1. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)‍

HIPAA is the most well-known healthcare compliance regulations, designed to protect patient information in the US, ensuring it remains confidential and secure. Organisations must implement safeguards to protect data, conduct regular training, and have contingency plans in place. Non-compliance can lead to penalties ranging from $141 to $2,134,831 per violation, with annual caps of up to $2,067,813.

Shockingly, 89% of audited entities fail to comply with the Right of Access under HIPAA, and 67% fail to meet requirements for breach notifications. Healthcare organisations need to stay on top of these regulations to avoid costly penalties and reputational damage, and comprehensive data classification is critical for meeting these compliance demands as well as protecting sensitive patient data.

2. HITECH Act (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act)

The HITECH Act promotes the use of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) to improve healthcare quality and safety. Compliance involves regular audits, encryption of data, and ensuring systems are interoperable. Failure to comply can result in financial penalties and loss of incentives.

3. 21st Century Cures Act‍

This act accelerates medical product development and ensures innovation reaches patients faster. Healthcare organisations need to meet data sharing, privacy, and security requirements to comply. Non-compliance can result in delays, legal actions, and damage to reputation.

4. GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)

For healthcare organisations handling EU citizen data, GDPR sets strict guidelines on data protection and privacy. Organisations must conduct Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) and appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) where needed. Non-compliance can lead to fines averaging €2,142,712 ($2.34 million).

5. CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act)

The CCPA gives California residents rights regarding their personal information, including the right to opt-out of data sales and access, delete, or transfer their data. Non-compliance can result in significant fines, as seen in June 2024, when a gaming company was fined $500,000 for violating children's privacy provisions.‍

6. HITRUST CSF (Health Information Trust Alliance Common Security Framework)

HITRUST CSF provides a comprehensive, flexible approach to regulatory compliance. Organisations must undergo rigorous assessments and achieve certification to comply. Failure to comply can lead to vulnerabilities in security and loss of trust.

7. Information Blocking Rule

This rule prohibits practices that block access to or sharing of Electronic Health Information (EHI). Organisations must ensure transparency and patient-centric data sharing. Non-compliance can result in investigations and penalties.

8. Interoperability and Patient Access Final Rule

The aim of this rule is to give patients better access to their health information and promote interoperability. Organisations must provide standardised APIs to share data and ensure privacy and security. Non-compliance can damage patient trust and hinder efficient care.

Read More: 8 Essential Healthcare Regulations Organisations Must Comply With

6 best practices for healthcare data classification 

When it comes to classifying and protecting healthcare data, it’s important to follow some tried-and-true practices that not only meet regulatory requirements but also ensure your organisation’s data stays safe.

Here’s a look at some key steps healthcare organisations can take to get it right:

1. Create a clear data classification policy

Start by developing a simple, easy-to-understand policy for classifying your data. Whether it's personal information, patient records, or financial details, making sure each type gets the right level of protection is a must.

2. Use the right tools for the job

There are plenty of tools out there that can help automate data classification. DLP (Data Loss Prevention) software and encryption technologies, for example, can help flag and secure sensitive information automatically, reducing the risk of human error.

3. Train your staff regularly

Data classification isn’t just about systems; it’s also about your people. Regular training ensures everyone knows the rules and the risks. The HIPAA Journal found that more than half of healthcare workers failed a HIPAA assessment, so keeping your team up to speed on data protection is crucial to avoiding costly mistakes.

4. Audit and update regularly

It’s not enough to set things up once. As data grows and regulations change, it’s important to keep checking and updating your processes. Regular risk audits will help keep you on track and ensure you're always compliant.

5. Limit access to sensitive data

Apply the principle of least privilege—only those who need access to sensitive data should have it. This keeps healthcare information secure and reduces the chance of accidental or malicious leaks.

6. Monitor and act on data access

Always keep an eye on who’s accessing sensitive information. If something doesn’t look right, act fast to stop a potential breach before it escalates.

🔒See Metomic's in Action: Request a Demo

Metomic offers robust tools for managing and updating data labels at scale. If data is misclassified or if its sensitivity level changes, Metomic allows you to quickly add, remove, or modify labels across your entire data environment.

This ensures that your data classification strategy remains accurate and up-to-date, helping to protect your organisation against emerging risks and maintaining compliance with evolving regulations.

Request a demo with our security experts. They’ll guide you through how Metomic’s solutions can be tailored to fit your organisation's specific data classification and HIPAA compliance needs.

Key points 

  • Data classification is a critical component of data security strategies in healthcare. Healthcare organisations must classify different types of data to mitigate risks and ensure compliance with HIPAA and other key regulations.
  • Effective data classification helps protect sensitive information like PHI (Protected Health Information).
  • Discover, classify and secure your sensitive data with Metomic's AI-powered data classification solution. Maintaining control and compliance across your ecosystem has never been easier.‍
  • Request a demo today to see how Metomic can keep your healthcare organisation HIPAA compliant and your PHI data secure.

With approximately 30% of the world's data volume generated by the healthcare industry, healthcare organisations need to classify and manage data effectively.

Data classification is crucial for protecting sensitive healthcare information. It’s not just about keeping things secure—it’s also about staying on the right side of federal regulations like HIPAA. 

By classifying data properly, organisations can better protect patient records and ensure you're meeting compliance requirements.

In this guide, we’ll take a look at why data classification is so important for healthcare organisations, the challenges you might face, and how to get it right. 

We’ll also talk about the benefits of data classification, from avoiding data breaches to meeting those tough regulatory requirements. 

What is data classification, and how does it relate to healthcare organisations and HIPAA?

Data classification refers to the process of organising data based on its sensitivity and importance. The goal is to make certain that sensitive data receives enhanced protection, while less critical data is given the appropriate amount of care. 

In healthcare, data classification is essential for safeguarding Protected Health Information (PHI) and complying with regulations like HIPAA. Without a clear classification system, healthcare organisations risk mishandling sensitive information, which can lead to data breaches or non-compliance issues.

When healthcare organisations classify their data, they can implement stronger controls to prevent data misuse. For example, 75% of organisations that don't classify their data upon creation take days to detect misuse, while 27% of those that do classify data on creation spot misuse within minutes.

By categorising data, organisations can respond faster and minimise the impact of potential breaches.

What type of healthcare data requires classifying?

Not all data in healthcare is the same—some is far more sensitive and needs extra protection.

Here’s a look at the key types of data that healthcare organisations need to classify:

  • Protected Health Information (PHI): This includes anything that can identify a patient, like medical records, test results, diagnoses, and prescriptions. PHI is highly regulated under laws like HIPAA, so mishandling it can result in serious penalties.
  • Financial data: This covers payment details, billing information, and insurance claims. It’s a prime target for fraud, so it requires careful classification.
  • Personally Identifiable Information (PII): Data like names, addresses, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers, which can be used to identify people. PII is a key target for cybercriminals, making it critical to classify and protect.

With 25% of publicly shared files owned by healthcare organisations containing Personally Identifiable Information (PII), it's clear why proper classification is a must.

Why is it important for healthcare organisations to classify data?

Classifying data isn’t just about being organised—without a clear classification system in place, healthcare organisations face serious consequences.

Here’s why data classification is so important:

  • Minimising risks: Unclassified data is far more vulnerable to misuse, whether it's accidental or intentional. Without proper categories in place, healthcare organisations can’t tell which data needs extra protection. This opens the door to potential breaches.
  • Protecting patient information and maintaining compliance: Properly classifying data ensures sensitive information—like PHI and PII—remains secure. It also helps healthcare organisations meet regulatory requirements, such as HIPAA, which can be complicated and subject to frequent audits. A solid classification system simplifies the process of staying compliant and avoiding costly fines.
  • Avoiding financial and reputational damage: Data breaches can have serious financial and reputational consequences. According to IBM, the average cost of a breach in healthcare is now $9.77 million—significantly higher than the global average of $4.88 million. Beyond the costs, healthcare organisations risk losing patient trust and damaging their reputation, which can take years to rebuild.

Classifying data properly helps mitigate these risks by keeping patient information protected, ensuring compliance, and reducing the potential for costly breaches.

What heathcare compliance regulations must they adhere to?

Healthcare organisations have to adhere to various regulations designed to protect sensitive data, ensure patient privacy, and maintain data security. 

These regulations not only impact how organisations handle and classify data, but also shape their data management policies and procedures. 

Here’s an overview of some of the key regulations that healthcare organisations must comply with:

1. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)‍

HIPAA is the most well-known healthcare compliance regulations, designed to protect patient information in the US, ensuring it remains confidential and secure. Organisations must implement safeguards to protect data, conduct regular training, and have contingency plans in place. Non-compliance can lead to penalties ranging from $141 to $2,134,831 per violation, with annual caps of up to $2,067,813.

Shockingly, 89% of audited entities fail to comply with the Right of Access under HIPAA, and 67% fail to meet requirements for breach notifications. Healthcare organisations need to stay on top of these regulations to avoid costly penalties and reputational damage, and comprehensive data classification is critical for meeting these compliance demands as well as protecting sensitive patient data.

2. HITECH Act (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act)

The HITECH Act promotes the use of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) to improve healthcare quality and safety. Compliance involves regular audits, encryption of data, and ensuring systems are interoperable. Failure to comply can result in financial penalties and loss of incentives.

3. 21st Century Cures Act‍

This act accelerates medical product development and ensures innovation reaches patients faster. Healthcare organisations need to meet data sharing, privacy, and security requirements to comply. Non-compliance can result in delays, legal actions, and damage to reputation.

4. GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)

For healthcare organisations handling EU citizen data, GDPR sets strict guidelines on data protection and privacy. Organisations must conduct Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) and appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) where needed. Non-compliance can lead to fines averaging €2,142,712 ($2.34 million).

5. CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act)

The CCPA gives California residents rights regarding their personal information, including the right to opt-out of data sales and access, delete, or transfer their data. Non-compliance can result in significant fines, as seen in June 2024, when a gaming company was fined $500,000 for violating children's privacy provisions.‍

6. HITRUST CSF (Health Information Trust Alliance Common Security Framework)

HITRUST CSF provides a comprehensive, flexible approach to regulatory compliance. Organisations must undergo rigorous assessments and achieve certification to comply. Failure to comply can lead to vulnerabilities in security and loss of trust.

7. Information Blocking Rule

This rule prohibits practices that block access to or sharing of Electronic Health Information (EHI). Organisations must ensure transparency and patient-centric data sharing. Non-compliance can result in investigations and penalties.

8. Interoperability and Patient Access Final Rule

The aim of this rule is to give patients better access to their health information and promote interoperability. Organisations must provide standardised APIs to share data and ensure privacy and security. Non-compliance can damage patient trust and hinder efficient care.

Read More: 8 Essential Healthcare Regulations Organisations Must Comply With

6 best practices for healthcare data classification 

When it comes to classifying and protecting healthcare data, it’s important to follow some tried-and-true practices that not only meet regulatory requirements but also ensure your organisation’s data stays safe.

Here’s a look at some key steps healthcare organisations can take to get it right:

1. Create a clear data classification policy

Start by developing a simple, easy-to-understand policy for classifying your data. Whether it's personal information, patient records, or financial details, making sure each type gets the right level of protection is a must.

2. Use the right tools for the job

There are plenty of tools out there that can help automate data classification. DLP (Data Loss Prevention) software and encryption technologies, for example, can help flag and secure sensitive information automatically, reducing the risk of human error.

3. Train your staff regularly

Data classification isn’t just about systems; it’s also about your people. Regular training ensures everyone knows the rules and the risks. The HIPAA Journal found that more than half of healthcare workers failed a HIPAA assessment, so keeping your team up to speed on data protection is crucial to avoiding costly mistakes.

4. Audit and update regularly

It’s not enough to set things up once. As data grows and regulations change, it’s important to keep checking and updating your processes. Regular risk audits will help keep you on track and ensure you're always compliant.

5. Limit access to sensitive data

Apply the principle of least privilege—only those who need access to sensitive data should have it. This keeps healthcare information secure and reduces the chance of accidental or malicious leaks.

6. Monitor and act on data access

Always keep an eye on who’s accessing sensitive information. If something doesn’t look right, act fast to stop a potential breach before it escalates.

🔒See Metomic's in Action: Request a Demo

Metomic offers robust tools for managing and updating data labels at scale. If data is misclassified or if its sensitivity level changes, Metomic allows you to quickly add, remove, or modify labels across your entire data environment.

This ensures that your data classification strategy remains accurate and up-to-date, helping to protect your organisation against emerging risks and maintaining compliance with evolving regulations.

Request a demo with our security experts. They’ll guide you through how Metomic’s solutions can be tailored to fit your organisation's specific data classification and HIPAA compliance needs.

Ben van Enckevort

CTO and Co-Founder

Ben van Enckevort is the co-founder and CTO of Metomic

Latest posts

Template: How to Create a RFP (Request for Proposal) Questionnaire for Modern DLP

Use an RFP to find the best cybersecurity vendor. This guide covers key RFP elements for Data Loss Prevention (DLP) providers, including criteria, evaluation, and a free template. Learn to mitigate risks, ensure compliance, and choose the right DLP solution.

Guides

How to Achieve Data Security Compliance Without Slowing Down Your Business

Protect your business from escalating cybercrimes and legal penalties. Data breaches and privacy laws demand robust security. This guide provides five simple steps to achieve data compliance efficiently, without hindering your business growth.

Blog