HIPAA + AI: What Safeguards You Must Have Before Turning On Copilot
HIPAA compliance when deploying Microsoft 365 Copilot within healthcare organizations. It warns that utilizing Copilot without specific safeguards can lead to catastrophic regulatory fines, mandatory breach notifications, and potential criminal charges due to the exposure of Protected Health Information (PHI). The text details twelve critical steps required for a compliant implementation, including conducting a pre-deployment risk assessment, obtaining the correct Business Associate Agreement (BAA), implementing strict permission controls using the principle of least privilege, and configuring Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policies specifically for Copilot interactions. Furthermore, the source emphasizes the importance of addressing challenges unique to AI, such as shadow AI use, oversharing through misconfigured permissions, and inadequate audit controls. Finally, it positions professional IT services as necessary for small and mid-sized healthcare practices to navigate these complex technical and administrative requirements successfully.
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