HIPAA Risk Assessment: A Step-by-Step Guide

Data breaches in healthcare aren’t rare—they’re expensive, damaging, and increasingly common. In 2023 alone, the average cost of a healthcare breach hit $10.93 million per incident (IBM).

Think about that for a second. One mistake—one misconfigured cloud storage, one weak password, one unsecured remote login—and suddenly, millions of dollars are at risk. Not to mention patient trust, lawsuits, and compliance fines.

HIPAA regulations exist to prevent exactly that. But let’s be honest: many organizations treat HIPAA risk assessments as a chore—a box to check instead of the critical security exercise it really is.

That’s what this guide is here to fix. Let’s get into it.

The Hidden Risks in Healthcare Data

It’s easy to assume that cybersecurity threats only come from outside attacks. But in reality, most healthcare breaches come from weak internal security, accidental mistakes, and unsecured remote access.

Here’s what the numbers say:

• 75% of healthcare breaches in 2023 were due to hacking and IT incidents. 

• 27% of breaches happened because of simple human error.
• Remote access risks are growing as more healthcare professionals work from outside secured networks.

Without a solid risk assessment, organizations leave themselves open to these threats—often without realizing it.

What is HIPAA Risk Assessment

A HIPAA Risk Assessment is an evaluation process that identifies, analyzes, and addresses security risks to Protected Health Information (PHI). It helps healthcare organizations uncover vulnerabilities in data storage, access, and transmission to prevent breaches and ensure compliance with HIPAA regulations.

Why a HIPAA Risk Assessment Actually Matters

A HIPAA risk assessment isn’t just about compliance. It’s about knowing where your security gaps are before someone else finds them. The assessment helps you:

Before you can secure your data, you need to know exactly where it lives and how it moves. Without a structured approach, critical vulnerabilities can go unnoticed, increasing the chances of a costly breach.

• Understand your PHI exposure. Identify where data is stored, who accesses it, and how it moves within and outside the organization.
• Identify weak spots. Find gaps in network security, employee training, and data access controls.
• Create a plan to fix them. Taking proactive steps to address vulnerabilities ensures you’re ahead of potential security threats.

Step 1: Map Out Your PHI Landscape

Before you can secure your data, you need to know everything about its location and its movement. This step helps you build a clear understanding of where Protected Health Information (PHI) resides and how it is accessed.

• Identify all PHI data sources. Electronic Health Records (EHRs), cloud storage, emails, backup servers—every single touchpoint matters.
• Track data flow. Who accesses PHI? Is it encrypted in transit and at rest? Where are the security gaps?
• Assess third-party vendors. If they handle PHI, their security practices need to meet HIPAA standards too.

One misplaced file or unsecured database can be all it takes for a breach. Visibility is the first step to protection.

Step 2: Pinpoint Your Biggest Security Gaps

Once you’ve mapped out your data, the next step is identifying threats. And they’re not always obvious. Even well-intentioned employees can inadvertently create vulnerabilities that put patient data at risk.

• Human error. Weak passwords, phishing scams, lost devices—all common issues.
• Technical vulnerabilities. Unpatched software, unsecured cloud storage, misconfigured servers.
• Physical risks. Unsecured laptops, unauthorized access to offices or data centers.

Most breaches don’t happen because of sophisticated cyberattacks. They happen because of preventable mistakes. The risk assessment is about finding those weak spots before an attacker does.

Step 3: Prioritize and Fix the Risks

Not every risk that is identified is an emergency, but some need urgent attention. The key is sorting them by impact so resources are allocated where they are needed most.

• High-risk threats need to be fixed immediately—think weak passwords, lack of multi-factor authentication (MFA), unprotected remote access.
• Medium-risk threats should be scheduled for mitigation—like updating access policies or improving employee security training.
• Low-risk threats need to be monitored but won’t keep you up at night.

One of the biggest overlooked risks? Remote access. Many breaches happen because someone logs in from a public Wi-Fi network, an unmanaged device, or an unsecured home office setup. Fixing remote security should be a top priority.

Step 4: Document Everything (Because Auditors Will Ask)

HIPAA isn’t just about doing the right thing—it’s about proving you did it. If you ever face an audit, you’ll need documentation that shows compliance efforts are ongoing and well-documented.

• What risks were found and how they were assessed.
• What actions were taken to fix them.
• Ongoing security efforts (employee training, software updates, etc.).

Skipping documentation is like taking an exam but never submitting your answers. Even if you did everything right, it won’t count unless you have proof.

Step 5: Make Risk Assessments an Ongoing Process

A risk assessment isn’t a “one-and-done” thing. Cyber threats evolve. Your security needs to evolve with them. Staying proactive reduces the risk of breaches and ensures ongoing compliance.

• Schedule risk assessments annually (or more often if major changes occur).
• Monitor access logs for unusual activity.
• Update policies to keep up with new threats.

The organizations that take risk assessment seriously are the ones that avoid costly breaches. Proactive security beats reactive damage control every time.

How PureDome Helps Secure Remote Access for HIPAA Compliance

One of the biggest gaps in HIPAA compliance is remote access security.

Healthcare professionals, third-party vendors, and administrative teams increasingly work remotely. Without a secure connection, PHI can be accessed through unsecured networks, increasing exposure to breaches.

That’s where PureDome comes in.

With dedicated IPs and private team networks, PureDome ensures that only authorized users on secured networks can access sensitive data. This means no unsecured public Wi-Fi and no rogue personal devices. Just controlled, encrypted access that keeps PHI protected.

Instead of relying on traditional VPNs with shared servers (which can expose your traffic to vulnerabilities), PureDome creates a private, controlled network—ensuring compliance and reducing your attack surface.

For organizations that are serious about securing their remote workforce, PureDome takes the hassle out of HIPAA-compliant remote access.

Final Thoughts

HIPAA compliance isn’t just about avoiding fines—it’s about keeping patient data safe, protecting your reputation, and preventing costly breaches.

A thorough risk assessment helps you stay ahead of security gaps. And when it comes to remote access, a secure network solution like PureDome ensures that PHI stays protected—no matter where your team logs in from.

You can learn more about  how PureDome helps you stay HIPAA compliant and get started here.