The number and cost of healthcare data breaches declined from 2012 to 2013 according to the Fourth Annual Benchmark Study on Patient Privacy and Data Security released by the Ponemon Institute.
According to the study, 45 percent of healthcare organizations surveyed had more than five data breaches in 2012, while just 38 percent had more than five data breaches in 2013.
The costs associated with data breaches have also declined. The study found a $400,000 decrease in the costs associated with healthcare data breaches from 2012 to 2013.
The reduction in the number and cost of breaches suggests that healthcare entities are taking notice of the federal government’s recent increased enforcement of the privacy and security rules under HIPPA and taking steps to improve their management of sensitive data.
The study was based on the results of surveys completed by 91 healthcare organizations.
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