Interhack Releases the HIPAA Security HyperRule

COLUMBUS, OHIO (March 18, 2003)--Interhack today releases an online version of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' final HIPAA Security Rule. Dubbed the HIPAA Security HyperRule, Interhack's hypertext version of the Rule is designed to give covered entities easy access to the Rule.

HIPAA is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, legislation that directs the Department of Health and Human services to establish rules for the management and protection of health information. HIPAA rules cover such areas as formats for electronic data interchange, identification of health system entities, privacy, and security.

HIPAA's final Security Rule, released on February 20, 2003, will become enforceable on February 20, 2005. In the meantime, organizations subject to HIPAA will be working to bring their policies and practices in line with the Rule.

Building on the work started by the Privacy Rule, the Security Rule establishes baseline standards for the protection of health information through administrative, physical, and technical safeguards.

As part of its own HIPAA compliance practice, Interhack developed the HyperRule to aid in referencing and managing the large standard. Deciding that the community of covered entities could also benefit from the work, Interhack decided to make the HyperRule available online, free of charge.

We hope that the HyperRule, now available for use online at web.interhack.com/publications/hipaasec.php, makes a useful and convenient reference.

About Interhack

Interhack is a provider of a wide variety of advanced technology consulting services, with practice areas specializing in information assurance, forensic computing, and outsourced information technology. Based in Columbus, Ohio, and with clients all over North America, Interhack has been providing trustworthy solutions since 1995.