HIPAA Security Risk Assessment Services
The HIPAA Security Rule requires every covered entity and business associate to perform an accurate and thorough risk analysis of electronic protected health information (ePHI). Skytech Enterprise delivers documented HIPAA security risk assessments and remediation plans for US healthcare providers, health tech companies and their vendors, and signs a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) where required.
HIPAA security risk assessment at a glance
Who this is for
Practice managers, compliance officers and security leads at healthcare providers, health plans, health tech and SaaS companies handling ePHI.
When you need this
A payer or partner audit, an OCR inquiry, a new healthcare customer, a system change, or no risk analysis completed in the past year.
Delivery model
Fixed-scope assessment delivered remotely, with a written risk analysis, risk register and remediation plan. BAA available.
What is a HIPAA security risk assessment?
A HIPAA security risk assessment (also called a security risk analysis) identifies where ePHI is created, received, stored and transmitted, evaluates threats and vulnerabilities to it, and rates the likelihood and impact of each risk. It is a required implementation specification under the HIPAA Security Rule (45 CFR 164.308(a)(1)(ii)(A)), and the foundation for the risk management decisions that follow.
Our methodology follows the HHS guidance on risk analysis and NIST guidance.
What our HIPAA risk assessment includes
- ePHI inventory and data flows – systems, applications, devices and vendors that touch ePHI.
- Safeguard review – administrative, physical and technical safeguards in the Security Rule.
- Threat and vulnerability analysis – including ransomware, phishing, lost devices and misconfigured cloud services.
- Risk rating – likelihood and impact for each risk, documented in a risk register.
- Remediation plan – prioritized actions with owners and timelines.
- Policy review – gaps in HIPAA security policies and procedures.
- Business associate review – vendors handling ePHI and their BAAs.
Our process
- Scope – locations, systems and business associates.
- Collect – interviews, documentation and technical configuration review in Microsoft 365, Azure and endpoints.
- Analyse – identify and rate risks.
- Report – written risk analysis and executive summary.
- Remediate – optional implementation support for MFA, DLP and encryption, EDR and backup.
Read: HIPAA security risk assessment checklist for healthcare organizations.
Benefits
- Documented evidence of a required HIPAA activity.
- Clear priorities for security spending.
- Better readiness for payer audits, OCR inquiries and customer due diligence.
- Reduced risk of ransomware and data breaches involving patient data.
Why choose Skytech Enterprise
- We sign Business Associate Agreements where our work involves access to ePHI.
- Technical depth in Microsoft 365, Entra ID, Intune and Azure, where most ePHI now lives.
- Practical remediation plans sized for practices, clinics and health tech companies.
- Ongoing compliance support through our vCISO service.
Related compliance services
HIPAA risk assessment FAQs
Answers for healthcare organizations and business associates.
Is a HIPAA security risk assessment mandatory?
Yes. The HIPAA Security Rule requires covered entities and business associates to conduct an accurate and thorough assessment of risks to ePHI and to implement measures that reduce those risks.
How often should we perform a HIPAA risk assessment?
HHS expects risk analysis to be ongoing. Most organizations perform a full assessment at least annually and after significant changes such as new systems, office moves or acquisitions.
Do business associates need a risk assessment?
Yes. Business associates that create, receive, maintain or transmit ePHI must comply with the Security Rule, including risk analysis.
Will you sign a Business Associate Agreement?
Yes. Skytech Enterprise signs a BAA where our services involve access to ePHI.
Is a risk assessment the same as a HIPAA audit?
No. A risk assessment is an internal activity you are required to perform. An audit is an external review, for example by OCR or a customer. A current risk assessment is one of the first documents auditors request.
How long does a HIPAA risk assessment take?
For a small or mid-size organization, typically 3 to 6 weeks from kickoff to final report.
Get a documented HIPAA risk assessment
Talk to Skytech Enterprise about scoping your HIPAA security risk assessment.