In healthcare web development, and any kind of healthcare IT solution, having security is crucial, and following HIPAA regulations is a must. Here are some major industry practices that Codal implements on all of the software development for healthcare. http://info.codal.com/digital-transformation-in-the-healthcare-sector

1. Intermixing User Experience Design
and HIPAA Regulations

2. As a UX design agency with years of experience crafting healthcare
software solutions, Codal is more than familiar with HIPAA
regulations, and the best way to adhere to them without sacrificing
the user’s overall experience.
As such, here’s just a few of the design practices we implement for
our healthcare clientele.

3. SSL, or ‘secure sockets layer’, is a networking
protocol that ensures a safe connection between a
client and server by requiring authentication from
both.
It is encrypted by a dual key system, meaning it’s
secure enough to be used for the trafficking of
highly sensitive information.
When a healthcare organization hires Codal’s UX
services, we usually advise protecting the entire
website with the SSL protocol, not just certain
pages.
SSL Encryption
SSL encryption is regularly utilized for websites of
all kinds, but HIPAA requires it for sites that handle
personal medical information. It is the necessary
foundation of a secure, stable medical platform.

4. Data Protection, Backup, & Deletion
While the SSL protocol protects the client and server through encryption and
authentication, the data passing through the secure connection should be
encrypted for additional security. Fully encrypting data still safeguards your
user’s PHI, even if the data is intercepted.
To add another layer of security, HIPAA also requires platforms to generate
and store backups of all essential data.
The last major functionality that must be implemented in all HIPAA-compliant
platforms is a permanent data deletion mechanism. HIPAA states that any
PHI that is no longer relevant to the organization must be permanently wiped
from the servers and database.

5. Security Testing
To be truly HIPAA-compliant, your website and its infrastructure must pass stringent, and regular, testing
protocols. This validation and testing confirms your platform’s adherence to all HIPAA standards and
regulations, and should be performed by the site’s IT or development firm.
These tests can help diagnose vulnerable areas in the site’s security, as well as identify pain points and flaws
in the user experience. These tests extend not just to the site owners, but also the site and server hosts as
well. Under HIPAA’s protocols, any security issues that may arise must be resolved within forty-eight hours.

6. It’s crucial to hire a UX design company that understands the ins and outs of the
Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act, to addres both the nuances of
the law and the broader development strategy.
While the primary reason for adhering to HIPAA’s regulations is obvious—it’s
the law—it’s also beneficial to the user experience of healthcare software.
Oftentimes sites that don’t fall under the jurisdiction of HIPAA will still comply to
the law, if only because it’s good practice.
Security Testing

7. Thank You.
www.codal.com