Brentwood, Tennessee based WPC Services is strengthening security and compliance offerings in the wake of HITECH preparations and surging data breaches.
Officials with WPC Services said that the strengthened security practice will meet healthcare organizations' burgeoning demands for greater safeguarding of data and enhanced protection of business associates and patients against the exponential risk of data breaches, identity theft and fraud.
"We're seeing an unprecedented need to provide broad and powerful security solutions to protect healthcare organizations from a variety of threats," said Brad Hutson, chief security officer, WPC Services, in a statement.
Hutson said that because of changing regulatory rules and stipulating higher penalties for HIPAA violations, damage from any breach to a covered entity now has a much greater impact.
He said that losing millions of dollars due to a data security compromise can wipe out profit margins and damage reputations for years to come.
Hutson also said that though patient data has long been a target for cyber criminals, activists and other malicious activities, the consequences are now greater than ever.
"This period of tremendous change in our industry demands intense scrutiny of how and where ePHI is developed, handled, monitored, accessed and used," he said.
Company officials said that WPC Services’ expanded security solutions incorporate an all-inclusive business approach in its assessment of HITECH and HIPAA security compliance efforts. WPC's Security Development Lifecycle (SDL) analyzes the processes, people and technology that access sensitive data and mitigates the risk of mobile e-health data compromises.
Eric Mueller, president, WPC Services said that WPC was the original contractor to CMS for HIPAA transaction compliance so security and compliance is in the company’s DNA.
By focusing exclusively on healthcare, WPC leverages unparalleled industry experience and expertise ensuring a security offering that covers the people, processes and technologies challenges in healthcare.
"Our goal is to help our clients confront and overcome rapidly evolving healthcare security challenges while improving business operations," he said.
Back in July 2011 WPC Services asserted that the newly launched ‘5010 Check-Up’ program is designed to help hospitals and health systems meet compliance with HIPAA 5010 conversion progress, identify business problems and make changes before the end of the year.
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Anil Sharma is a contributing editor for HealthTechZone. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.Edited by
Stefanie Mosca
