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HIPAA compliant online backup with Google Drive and Iperius



HIPAA Compliant Cloud Backup with Google Drive and Iperius Backup

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is the US regulation that defines the security and privacy standards for protected health information (PHI). Healthcare companies must ensure that all systems and processes that handle patient data are HIPAA compliant, including cloud backup . In this article, we will delve into how to create a HIPAA compliant cloud backup on Google Drive (as part of Google Workspace) using the Iperius Backup software . We will see what security configurations are necessary to make Google Drive HIPAA compliant and why Iperius Backup is an ideal solution for a secure and compliant cloud backup.

Google Drive and HIPAA Compliance

Is Google Drive HIPAA compliant cloud storage? Yes, Google Drive can be used in compliance with HIPAA, but only within Google Workspace and with the prior signature of a Business Associate Addendum (BAA) . In fact, consumer (free) Google Drive accounts do not allow the stipulation of a BAA, which is a requirement for processing ePHI data in the cloud. Google offers the BAA only to Google Workspace customers (Business/Enterprise plans).

So let’s see what configurations and security best practices are necessary to achieve a HIPAA compliant cloud backup with Google Drive.

Configurations needed for a HIPAA compliant cloud backup to Google Drive

To use Google Drive in a HIPAA-compliant manner, you need to implement several security measures and specific settings in Google Workspace. Here are some key steps:

  • Signing a BAA with Google : Sign a Business Associate Agreement with Google through a Google Workspace Business/Enterprise account. This contractual agreement binds Google to protect the health data hosted in Drive according to HIPAA rules.
  • Access Control and User Management : Implement granular access policies. Use permissions and groups to ensure that only authorized personnel can access files containing PHI; restrict file sharing outside of the corporate domain; disable unapproved third-party applications; enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for all accounts; and enforce strong passwords.
  • Encryption and data protection : Google Drive already automatically encrypts data both at rest and in transit, but it is recommended to additionally encrypt sensitive files on the client side , before uploading them to the cloud. This way, even in the event of unauthorized access to the cloud server, the data remains unreadable without the decryption key.
  • Logging and Monitoring : Enable Google Drive access and usage logs and monitor them regularly . Configure alerts for suspicious activity and periodically review audit reports.
  • Data Loss Prevention (DLP) : Use available Data Loss Prevention capabilities (such as in Google Workspace Enterprise plans) or dedicated DLP solutions to detect and block unauthorized sharing of sensitive information. These systems help prevent accidental or malicious data leaks , adding an additional layer of protection for ePHI data.

By implementing these measures, an organization can use Google Drive as part of a HIPAA compliant cloud backup system , ensuring that healthcare data uploaded to the cloud is protected to required standards.

Learn more: https://cloud.google.com/security/compliance/hipaa-compliance

HIPAA compliant backup on Google Drive with Iperius Backup

Once you have a secure and compliant Google Drive in place, it is essential to use reliable backup software to transfer and store your data in the cloud. Iperius Backup is an excellent solution for a HIPAA compliant cloud backup to Google Drive, thanks to a series of security features:

  • Secure connection (TLS) : Iperius transmits data to Google Drive via HTTPS/TLS protocol, ensuring that the transfer is encrypted and secure.
  • Client-side AES 256-bit encryption : The software allows you to encrypt backup files locally (AES 256-bit algorithm) before uploading to Drive. Only those who have the password can decrypt the data, ensuring maximum confidentiality even in the cloud.
  • Granular management of access and credentials : Iperius allows you to use dedicated Google accounts for backups, with privileges limited to backup purposes only. Google Drive access credentials are managed securely within the application.
  • Multiple backup versions : Iperius allows you to keep multiple historical versions of backup files on Google Drive (versioning). In the event of accidental modification or deletion of data, it is possible to recover a previous intact version, improving the resilience and availability of data over time.

In conclusion, the combination of Iperius Backup with Google Drive offers a robust and flexible HIPAA compliant cloud backup solution . Google Workspace provides a cloud infrastructure with adequate security controls and contractual agreements (BAA), while Iperius Backup adds additional guarantees thanks to advanced encryption, secure credential management and backup functions. By following the best practices described, healthcare organizations can protect patient data in the cloud in compliance with HIPAA, benefiting from the convenience and scalability of backup to Google Drive.

Read also: How to make an online backup on Google Drive with Iperius



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