A soon-to-be-completed regulatory framework to address patient safety issues posed by medical devices, electronic health records and other health IT must consider cybersecurity issues, says Julian Goldman, M.D., a federal adviser.

In response to today's cybersecurity challenges, Southern Methodist University has selected Frederick Chang to head a new program that will address top issues - including how to fill the skills gap.

As the Sept. 23 enforcement deadline for HIPAA Omnibus approaches, an error that many business associates are making is thinking that compliance can be achieved with a simple checklist, says consultant Andrew Hicks.

Lee Kim, the new director of privacy and security at HIMSS, says keeping track of where sensitive data is located, detecting breaches and dealing with insider threats are among the most critical issues.

As a result of a recent Supreme Court case, it's doubtful that HIPAA compliance could be directly enforced by U.S. regulators for offshore business associates, says attorney Stephen Wu.

As healthcare organizations ramp up HIPAA compliance efforts, they should make far greater use of guidance from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, says security consultant Mac McMillan.

When participating in a health information exchange, providers need to take several HIPAA Omnibus Rule compliance steps, including spelling out responsibilities in the event of an HIE breach, says attorney Helen Oscislawski.

An important aspect of HIPAA Omnibus Rule compliance for covered entities as well as business associates and their subcontractors is policing what privacy attorney Gerard Stegmaier calls "the data supply chain."

Because big data brings significant benefits - and risks - CEOs and boards of directors must take charge of developing privacy protection policies, ISACA International Vice President Jeff Spivey says.

Keeping risk assessment documentation and other compliance evidence in a centralized repository is a good way to prepare for any HIPAA audit or investigation, says Mark Dill, Cleveland Clinic's security leader.