MedGarde is dedicated to maintaining levels of security and compliance that meet or exceed the standards of HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). In addition to our routine security standards, our internal initiative, Team HIPAA, monitors the federal statutes in an effort to remain compliant.

We continuously implement the highest security levels possible as marked by managerial procedures that are teamed with technological innovation. Our focus is to protect the confidentiality of all privileged client and patient information stored internally and transferred over public networks.

Our company has made it a top priority to work with our clients regarding HIPAA and a number of other security initiatives. Our efforts to provide the best security are ongoing and reviews are conducted regularly. As part of our comprehensive commitment, MedGarde has addressed eight key areas:

Secure Physical Access

Our data centers are locked-down and monitored 24 hours daily by year-round surveillance. Our security measures include stringent personnel access which subjects persons requesting physical access to multiple levels of identify verification.

Authenticated Access & Privileges

MedGarde uses imbedded intelligence to ensure that private information is accessible on a “need-to-know basis” as determined by role-based authentication procedures. This checkpoint ensures that only authorized persons can access information relevant to their specific job duties, which are identified and authenticated by username and password. Background checks are also conducted on our employees and vendors.

Audit Trails

From the point of dictation to the receipt of transcript by client, MedGarde’s data centers maintain a detailed audit trail of all individuals who have any access to voice or data information.

Data Encryption

MedGarde encrypts all Protected Health Information with a minimum of 128-bit encryption. This is the same level of encryption used in the government and banking sectors.

Redundancy

MedGarde servers make use of RAID 5 technology. In the event that any mechanism fails, others are standing by to take over while the failed component remains off-line for correction. MedGarde’s voice and data network utilizes industry standard hardware and software (including hard drives, processors, power supplies, etc.) to minimize downtime.

Data Back-Up

All data is permanently retained on off-line media for added security. Additionally, this media is stored off-site in the improbable event that the data center is compromised. Data is stored in an environmentally controlled secure facility where access is restricted to authorized personnel. Our networks host firewalls and the latest antivirus software.

Fire

A fire detection system, monitored by security 24 hours daily, is used in conjunction with fire suppression.

Emergency/Disaster Mode

MedGarde stores data in Chantilly, VA, Ashburn, VA, and Dallas, TX. In the improbable event that one data center becomes compromised, others are standing by so that clients can be assured that their mission-critical information is well protected in the event of fire, flood, earthquake, adverse weather or criminal acts.

For more information pertaining to HIPAA, please click here.