30.01.2018 08.53 CST

Recently discovered computer bugs – Spectre and Meltdown – pose security threats to a large number of computers. As the result of employer responsibilities under HIPAA, employers should consider both their own systems and also the systems of health care vendors.

Spectre, Meltdown and HIPAA: An Unpleasant Trio

Spectre, Meltdown and HIPAA: An Unpleasant Trio

Both employers and James Bond must fight Spectre. Employers must also fight Meltdown – and fight these threats in a way that meets the requirements of HIPAA.

The tech world has been abuzz since the beginning of 2018 over two computer bugs – Spectre and Meltdown. These bugs pose a unique challenge – they occur as the result of the architecture of the computer’s central processing unit (CPU) and the development and implementation of patches will be more difficult than usual. These bugs also raise additional questions about employers’ responsibilities under HIPAA to “reasonably” protect health information.