Understanding Compliance Frameworks

HIPAA, GDPR, NIST, ISO, PCI-DSS

1. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)

HIPAA is designed to protect sensitive health information in the U.S. It includes:

  • Privacy Rule: Ensures the confidentiality of personal health information (PHI).
  • Security Rule: Sets technical safeguards for electronic PHI (ePHI).
  • Breach Notification Rule: Requires notification in case of unauthorized access to data.

Applicable to healthcare providers, insurers, and their business associates who handle health information.

2. GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)

GDPR aims to protect the privacy of EU residents’ personal data. Key principles include:

  • Data Minimization: Collection of only necessary data.
  • Consent: User consent for data processing.
  • Rights of Individuals: Access, portability, and right to be forgotten.

Applies to organizations worldwide that process data of EU residents.

3. NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology)

NIST provides standards and guidelines for information security. Key frameworks include:

  • NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF): Focuses on identifying, protecting, detecting, responding, and recovering from cybersecurity threats.
  • NIST 800 Series: Technical guidelines for secure IT systems.

Widely used by government agencies and private organizations for effective cybersecurity measures.

4. ISO (International Organization for Standardization)

ISO provides global standards across various domains. Key standards include:

  • ISO/IEC 27001: Framework for managing information security risks.
  • ISO 27701: Privacy information management, aligning with GDPR principles.

Adopted by organizations worldwide to ensure compliance and secure data practices.

5. PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard)

PCI-DSS secures payment card transactions and protects cardholder data through:

  • Secure network implementation: Build and maintain a secure network.
  • Data encryption: Encrypt cardholder data during transmission.
  • Access control: Implement robust access controls and monitoring.

Applicable to businesses handling payment card transactions.