Hacking Health Care: Authentication Security in the Age of Meaningful Use

The rapid adoption of EHRs (Electronic Health Records), to store and communicate highly personal data, raises serious concerns in terms of privacy, security, and civil and criminal liability. This note will examine the current statutory framework for addressing electronic breaches in the health care context, examine the vulnerabilities of EHRs, and look to the established world of online banking for possible legislative and practical solutions to the challenge of keeping private health information private. Finally, this note will propose key amendments to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations to enhance authentication security.