Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Your HIPAA Security Officer?

One of the very first HIPAA Security regulations is, “Assigned Security Responsibility” 164.308(a)(2). This regulation requires every Business Associate and every covered entity to have a designated HIPAA Security Officer.

I come across many organizations in my consulting practice that know that they need a Privacy Officer but not a Security Officer. And technically, Business Associates don’t have to even have a Privacy Officer (although they should anyway). For many organizations that are aware that they need a Security Officer,the role is often accompanied by insufficient authority, resources and training necessary to do the job effectively.

In order to ensure that the job is done effectively in your organization, take this quick quiz about the role of your HIPAA Security Officer:

• Why does HIPAA require you to have a Security Officer?
• Do the rules require any credentials or certifications for this role?
• What training is available to Security Officers to make them more effective in the role?
• How is the Security Officer different from the Privacy Officer?
• How do you document who the Security Officer is within the organization?
• What are the roles and responsibilities of a Security Officer?
• What are the types of projects that a Security Officer should undergo to fulfill the role?
• What are the types of ongoing responsibilities that a Security Officer should oversee and maintain?
• Where should the Security Officer be within the hierarchy of management? What does a typical org chart look like?
• What other resources should be considered when equipping the Security Officer to effectively fulfill her responsibilities?

How did you do? Did you know most of the answers? 

For more information, tune in to my on-demand webinar, "Supercharge Your HIPAA Compliance Efforts," we will be discussing the Security Officer role within healthcare organizations and their business associates.