Healthcare & Behavioral Health

Cybersecurity & HIPAA Advisory
for Healthcare Providers

Medical practices, behavioral health providers, and healthcare organizations face strict compliance obligations — and attackers who know it. We provide the security leadership and HIPAA compliance programs that protect patients and practices alike.

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Healthcare Is the Most-Targeted Sector for Data Breaches

Healthcare data is worth 10× more than financial data on the dark web. Ransomware groups specifically target medical practices because patient care pressure creates ransom leverage. At the same time, HIPAA requires a formal, documented security program — one most practices have never built. We address both problems with advisory leadership, not just tools.

Ransomware & Downtime

Ransomware attackers target healthcare because patient care cannot stop. Recovery averages $1.27M per incident in healthcare settings.

Insider Access Misuse

Studies show 58% of future healthcare workers would consider selling patient data. Insider risk programs are essential, not optional.

Connected Device Risk

Medical devices, patient portals, and EHR integrations create attack surfaces most practices have never assessed or documented.

HIPAA Enforcement

HHS OCR settlements now commonly reach $100K–$4.75M for organizations that lacked documented risk assessments and security programs.

Business Email Compromise

Fraudulent payment requests and impersonation attacks targeting billing, HR, and administrative staff are rising sharply in healthcare.

Business Associate Risk

Third-party vendors with access to PHI — billing companies, IT providers, clearinghouses — are responsible for 37% of healthcare breaches.

How We Work With Healthcare Organizations

Advisory-led security and compliance — designed around the way healthcare organizations actually operate.

HIPAA Security Risk Assessment

We conduct the formal, documented risk analysis required by the HIPAA Security Rule — identifying how your organization creates, receives, maintains, and transmits ePHI, and where your safeguards fall short.

Fractional Security Officer

HIPAA requires a designated Security Official. We fill that role — serving as your named security officer, building your program, and representing your compliance posture to auditors and regulators.

Policy & Documentation Development

We build the policies, procedures, and documentation your organization needs — access control, incident response, workforce training, business associate management — all HIPAA-aligned and audit-ready.

Business Associate Oversight

We review your Business Associate Agreements, evaluate third-party vendors with access to PHI, and establish an ongoing oversight process that reduces your liability exposure.

Breach Response Planning

We build your incident response and breach notification plan — including the HHS 60-day notification process, media response guidance, and post-incident documentation that regulators will review.

Workforce Security Training

We design and oversee security awareness training programs tailored to healthcare staff — addressing phishing, device security, patient data handling, and the insider risk behaviors most likely to cause a breach.

SPM Advisors vs. Generic IT Support

Most healthcare practices rely on their IT provider for security. IT support and healthcare security advisory are not the same thing.

Capability Generic IT Support SPM Advisors
HIPAA Security Risk Assessment Rarely performed or documented Formal, documented, HHS-aligned
Named Security Official Not provided We serve in this required role
Business Associate oversight BAAs signed, rarely reviewed Vendor evaluation and ongoing oversight
Breach response & notification Ad hoc, often undocumented Formal plan with HHS notification guidance
Insider risk programs Not offered CERT-certified insider risk expertise
Audit & regulator defense Not in scope Documentation built to withstand OCR review

Frequently Asked Questions

Is HIPAA required for behavioral health providers?
Yes. Behavioral health providers who transmit health information electronically are covered entities under HIPAA and must comply with the Security Rule, Privacy Rule, and Breach Notification Rule. This includes therapists, counselors, psychiatrists, and group practices.
What does a HIPAA Security Risk Assessment involve?
A HIPAA Security Risk Assessment evaluates how your organization creates, receives, maintains, and transmits electronic protected health information (ePHI). It identifies vulnerabilities, documents gaps in safeguards, and produces a remediation plan. HHS requires this assessment to be conducted regularly and documented.
Do you work with small or solo practices?
Yes. We work with solo practitioners, small group practices, and multi-location healthcare organizations. Our advisory model scales to your size and risk profile — without the overhead of enterprise security staffing.
What is the difference between a Privacy Officer and a Security Officer under HIPAA?
HIPAA requires both roles. The Privacy Officer is responsible for policies around how PHI is used and disclosed. The Security Officer is responsible for protecting electronic PHI through technical, administrative, and physical safeguards. SPM Advisors serves in the Security Officer role and can advise on Privacy Officer responsibilities as well.

Ready to Build a Defensible HIPAA Program?

Schedule a 30-minute consultation. You’ll leave with a clear picture of your compliance gaps and what it takes to close them — no obligation.

Schedule an Executive Risk Consultation