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Windows 7 lost its HIPAA compliance: Migrate now!
2 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Now that Microsoft has finallyceased support for Windows 7, any organizations and institutions that work with a client’s sensitive data will now need to decide on whether to migrate toWindows 10or risk being a liability.
This also applies to institutions that are in the healthcare business, as they now are struggling to maintain their HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) compliance.
Since Microsoft is no longer offering support toWindows 7, this means that there will be no more security updates.
Healthcare institutions are a prime spot for hackers to try and retrieve personal client information from. This is especially since they are known to be among the institution to upgrade last.
Is Windows 7 still HIPAA compliant?
Given howWindows 7is no longer receiving any security updates, the short answer would beno.
However, the only workaround for institutions to maintain their HIPAA compliance and still runWindows 7would be to get theWindows 7 Extended Support for Business.
Unfortunately, this too is nothing more than a temporary solution. This is because the Extended Support would only buy them an extra 3 years. Additionally, the costs ramp up pretty fast as years progress, and in the end, they would have to upgrade toWindows 10anyway.
If you want HIPAA compliance, you’ll need Windows 10
From a mere security standpoint,Windows 10is indeed HIPAA compliant, as long as certain guidelines are met.
This involves signing agreements with Microsoft where you discuss the availability of your clients’ data, limiting what Microsoft can access, and what it can do with what it accesses.
Thus, if you want to maintain your HIPAA compliance, you are forced to do one of two things:
The obvious choice in terms of costs and long-term efficiency is pretty obvious. As such, you might as well start reading aboutthe steps need to migrateright now.
If you work for a healthcare organization and want information on how to maintain your HIPAA compliance post-migration, leave us a message in the comment section below.
More about the topics:windows 10,windows 7
Teodor Nechita
Eager to help those in need, Teodor writes articles daily on subjects regarding Windows, Xbox, and all things tech-related.
When not working, you may usually find him either at the gym or taking a stroll in the park, trying to find inspiration for the next articles he may write.
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