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HIPAA Compliance

HIPAA-compliant hosting protects patient data with encryption, firewalls & backups. A signed Business Associate Agreement (BAA) is essential.
Security
4 min read

If your website handles patient data—whether through a contact form, appointment scheduler, or telehealth portal—you can’t use just any hosting provider. You need a platform that meets HIPAA standards for privacy, security, and compliance.

Let’s look at what HIPAA-compliant web hosting actually means, why it’s legally required for healthcare-related sites, and what features you should demand from any provider that claims it’s up to the task.

What is HIPAA-compliant web hosting?

If your website collects or stores health information, you’re legally required to protect it. That’s where HIPAA-compliant web hosting comes in.

HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act—a federal law designed to safeguard protected health information (PHI). When healthcare providers, insurance companies, or their vendors create digital systems that store or transmit PHI, they must use hosting environments that follow strict security rules.

This includes physical server protections, digital safeguards, and signed legal agreements between the host and the healthcare organization.

Typical use cases for HIPAA hosting include:

  • Patient portals for appointments, test results, or messaging
  • Online medical forms or intake submissions
  • Electronic medical record (EMR) platforms
  • Telehealth or telemedicine applications

8 key security features of HIPAA-compliant hosting

Every hosting solution that claims HIPAA compliance should offer specific features that align with federal requirements. Here’s what to look for.

1. Secure hosting environments

A HIPAA-compliant host isolates your website and databases from other customers using dedicated servers or secure cloud instances. These environments should be protected by locked data centers, hardened operating systems, and strict resource allocation.

2. Data encryption (at rest and in transit)

HIPAA requires that PHI is encrypted:

  • In transit (while moving between servers, browsers, or APIs) using protocols like HTTPS with TLS.
  • At rest (while stored on a server or in a database) using AES-256 or similar standards.

3. Business Associate Agreements (BAAs)

A BAA is a legal contract between your organization (a covered entity or business associate) and your hosting provider. It confirms that the provider understands its responsibilities under HIPAA and will implement required safeguards.

Without a signed BAA, your hosting provider is not considered HIPAA compliant—even if they have the right technology in place.

4. Firewalls and continuous security monitoring

Firewalls block unauthorized access to your server, while intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS) monitor traffic for suspicious activity. HIPAA-compliant hosts often provide 24/7 monitoring, log analysis, and real-time alerts.

5. Access controls and authentication

Only authorized personnel should have access to PHI. That means:

  • Role-based user accounts
  • Enforced strong password policies
  • Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
  • Session timeouts and auto-logout features

6. Malware prevention and threat detection

Ongoing virus scans, malware removal tools, and system integrity checks help prevent breaches from outdated plugins or file uploads. These layers of protection are key in HIPAA hosting plans.

7. SSL/TLS certificates

An SSL certificate (specifically TLS 1.2 or higher) ensures data sent between a user’s browser and your site is encrypted. It’s a HIPAA requirement and also a trust signal for patients interacting with your site.

8. Data backup and disaster recovery

HIPAA requires plans for data recovery and business continuity. Look for hosts that provide:

  • Daily or real-time backups
  • Redundant off-site storage
  • Documented recovery procedures
  • 24/7 support in case of a breach or outage

Important HIPAA hosting considerations

Even if you choose a HIPAA-ready provider, compliance isn’t automatic. It’s a shared responsibility between you and your host.

  • You must configure your site and software securely. Plugins, themes, and custom code can introduce vulnerabilities.
  • Only parts of your site may need HIPAA compliance. For example, a patient portal requires compliance, but a public-facing blog might not.
  • Routine audits are crucial. Conduct HIPAA risk assessments annually or whenever systems change.
  • Consult a HIPAA compliance expert when building or maintaining any platform that handles PHI.

How to verify if your hosting is HIPAA compliant

Not all claims of HIPAA compliance hold up. Here’s how to evaluate a provider:

  • Ask for a signed BAA. No BAA = no HIPAA compliance.
  • Check encryption protocols. TLS for transit and AES-256 for storage should be the baseline.
  • Verify security monitoring. Real-time logging and alerts should be in place.
  • Inspect access control policies. Are strong passwords, MFA, and user roles enforced?
  • Review backup and recovery plans. Look for off-site backups and documented response protocols.
  • Consider a third-party HIPAA audit. Services like Compliancy Group or SecurityMetrics can validate your full tech stack.

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