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ehr onc final certification - Department of Health Care Services

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technology through<br />

the implementation<br />

<strong>of</strong> appropriate<br />

technical<br />

capabilities<br />

security updates as<br />

necessary and<br />

correct identified<br />

security<br />

deficiencies as part<br />

<strong>of</strong> its risk<br />

management<br />

process<br />

information when exchanged in accordance with the standard<br />

specified in §170.210(a)(2).<br />

Final Rule Text:<br />

§170.302(u)<br />

General encryption. Encrypt and decrypt electronic health<br />

information in accordance with the standard specified in<br />

§170.210(a)(1), unless the Secretary determines that the use <strong>of</strong><br />

such algorithm would pose a significant security risk for<br />

Certified EHR Technology.<br />

§170.302(v)<br />

Encryption when exchanging electronic health information.<br />

Encrypt and decrypt electronic health information when<br />

exchanged in accordance with the standard specified in<br />

§170.210(a)(2).<br />

Comments. A number <strong>of</strong> commenters stated that transmissions <strong>of</strong> health<br />

information over leased or private network lines should not be subject to the encryption<br />

<strong>of</strong> data in transit requirement.<br />

Response. Certified EHR Technology must include the capability to encrypt and<br />

decrypt information regardless <strong>of</strong> the transmission method used. This <strong>certification</strong><br />

criterion and related standard do not specify the circumstances under which encryption<br />

and decryption must be performed; they simply require the capability. If an eligible<br />

pr<strong>of</strong>essional or eligible hospital determines that encryption is an appropriate and<br />

necessary safeguard, we believe that Certified EHR Technology should provide the<br />

capability to implement encryption. Overall, we want to ensure that Certified EHR<br />

Technology is capable <strong>of</strong> assisting eligible pr<strong>of</strong>essionals and eligible hospitals to<br />

implement more secure technical solutions if they determine, based on their risk analysis,<br />

that technical safeguards such as encryption are reasonable and appropriate, or required.<br />

Comment. One commenter requested further clarification <strong>of</strong> the phrase<br />

“encrypted and integrity protected link.” Several commenters recommended that<br />

Transport Layer Security (TLS) ought to be specifically named as a required protocol.<br />

Page 116 <strong>of</strong> 228

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