Failure to Encrypt Mobile Devices Leads to $3 Million HIPAA Settlement: $3,000,000
Resolution Nov 2019
Penalty
$3,000,000
Action type
Settlement
Entity profile
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Case number
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What went wrong
Failure to Encrypt Mobile Devices Leads to $3 Million HIPAA Settlement - November 5, 2019
- Navigate to: HIPAA for Professionals Regulatory Initiatives Privacy Summary of the Privacy Rule Guidance Combined Text of All Rules HIPAA Related Links Security Security Rule NPRM Summary of the Security Rule Security Guidance Cyber Security Guidance Breach Notification Breach Reporting Guidance Reports to Congress Regulation History Compliance & Enforcement Enforcement Rule Enforcement Process En
Full description
Navigate to: HIPAA for Professionals Regulatory Initiatives Privacy Summary of the Privacy Rule Guidance Combined Text of All Rules HIPAA Related Links Security Security Rule NPRM Summary of the Security Rule Security Guidance Cyber Security Guidance Breach Notification Breach Reporting Guidance Reports to Congress Regulation History Compliance & Enforcement Enforcement Rule Enforcement Process Enforcement Data Resolution Agreements Case Examples Audit Reports to Congress State Attorneys General Special Topics Parental Access Mental and Behavioral Health Change Healthcare Cybersecurity Incident FAQs HIPAA and COVID-19 HIPAA and Reproductive Health HIPAA and Final Rule Notice HIPAA and Telehealth HIPAA and FERPA Research Public Health Emergency Response Health Information Technology Health Apps Patient Safety Covered Entities & Business Associates Business Associate Contracts Business Associates Training & Resources FAQs for Professionals Other Administrative Simplification Rules Substance Use Disorder Confidentiality Failure to Encrypt Mobile Devices Leads to $3 Million HIPAA Settlement The University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) has agreed to pay $3 million to the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and take substantial corrective action to settle potential violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy and Security Rules. URMC includes healthcare components such as the School of Medicine and Dentistry and Strong Memorial Hospital. URMC is one of the largest health systems in New York State with over 26,000 employees. Read the HHS Press Release Read the Resolution Agreement People using assistive technology may not be able to fully access information in this file. For assistance, contact the HHS Office for Civil Rights at (800) 368-1019, TDD toll-free: (800) 537-7697, or by emailing OCRMail@hhs.gov. Content last reviewed November 5, 2019
Timeline
- ResolutionNov 2019
- Incident and investigation milestones are not consistently published by OCR in machine-readable form.
Key takeaways for your organization
- Treat internet-facing systems and vendor-hosted environments as in-scope for HIPAA risk analysis and technical safeguards testing.
- Maintain an actionable risk analysis tied to remediation milestones; evidence should map to Security Rule implementation specifications.
- Align policies, procedures, and evidence with the specific CFR provisions cited in OCR resolutions affecting your entity type.
- Run tabletop exercises for breach response, OCR inquiry handling, and privilege-preserving communications with counsel.
Related actions
Health Care Provider Pays $100,000 Settlement to OCR for Failing to Implement HIPAA Security Rule Requirements
—
$100,000
Lab Pays $16,500 Settlement to HHS, Resolving Potential HIPAA Violation over Medical Records Request
GA
$16,500
HHS Civil Rights Office Resolves HIPAA Right of Access Investigation with $20,000 Settlement
FL
$20,000
Source
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services release
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights. medcomply.ai aggregates public materials for educational use, not legal advice.