Is Box HIPAA Compliant?

TL;DR

• Box’s Compatibility with HIPAA: As standard, Box does not comply with HIPAA standards for safeguarding Protected Health Information (PHI).
• Box HIPAA Configuration: Box settings can be configured to bring the service into compliance with HIPAA.
• Business Associate Agreement (BAA): Box will sign a BAA with covered entities, including as healthcare organizations.
• Storing PHI in Box: Presents significant data leak risks. Box settings must be configured correctly, at all times, and employees must be trained on proper data security and proper handling protocol.
• Potential for PHI Leakage: Due to Box being used as a cloud-based file storage and sharing service, there is always potential for data leaks. This ever-present risk underscores the importance of additional Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions.
• Enhanced DLP Features: Strac’s Box DLP enables organizations to take control of their data security with features such as automatic detection and redaction of sensitive files, access and sharing permissions, and app integration controls to ensure sensitive data remains secure at all times.

Is Box HIPAA Compliant?

When it comes to managing protected health information within the digital realm, HIPAA compliance is a fundamental requirement for healthcare organizations. 

Box is a cloud-based content management and file sharing service that allows organizations to store, share, and manage files securely online. It is designed as a centralized platform for collaboration and data storage. 

Healthcare organizations should note that, as standard, Box does not meet HIPAA regulations for the safeguarding of Protected Health Information (PHI). 

However, Box is configurable to bring its use into compliance with HIPAA standards. Box does have limited security measures to protect sensitive information. 

To comply with HIPAA, business associates must have a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) in place with all healthcare organizations classified as HIPAA-covered entities.

Yes —Box is willing to sign a Business Associate Agreement with covered entities. 

Box only offers a BAA to healthcare organizations that are subscribed to an Enterprise or Enterprise Plus account.

By entering into a BAA, Box commits to maintaining the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of PHI, aligning its services with HIPAA requirements. However, signing the BAA does not ensure your organization’s compliance with HIPAA. 

Healthcare organizations must actively ensure their use of Box remains compliant, at all times. 

Can You Store PHI or Patient Data in Box?

Yes —it is possible to store PHI in Box, however doing so presents certain risks. 

As mentioned, healthcare organizations planning on using Box to handle and store PHI must ensure Box’s settings are configured to be HIPAA compliant. These settings include data access permissions, activity logging, and the ability to control data sharing.

Furthermore, healthcare organizations must be subscribed to an Enterprise or Enterprise Plus plan. To mitigate the risk of data leaks, organizations must also ensure all staff are trained on handling sensitive information.

Improper handling of sensitive data and protected information within Box can open your organization up to significant regulatory and litigation risks.

Can PHI or Patient Data be Leaked from Box?

Considering Box’s use as a file storage and content management service that allows organizations to store and share files, there is a major risk of data leaks. 

While Box offers some security features, like any other cloud-based service, there are various factors that can lead to data leaks. For example, misconfigured security settings, user error, or cyber attacks require additional security mechanisms to be implemented. 

To mitigate risks, healthcare organizations should always utilize Box's security features, such as two-factor authentication, and restricting sharing permissions. Although Box does have security settings to safeguard data, vulnerabilities remain. 

Employees and staff also play a crucial role in ensuring data security and the proper handling of sensitive patient data.

Many healthcare organizations adopt additional security mechanisms that not only ensure compliance, but effectively prevent various types of data leaks.

How Can Strac Prevent Data Leaks from Box?

Strac Box DLP is a comprehensive data leak prevention solution that adds additional security mechanisms to safeguard protected health information in Box. 

Strac DLP ensures your use of Box always remains secure and fully compliant at all times. 

Here's how:

• Regulatory Compliance: Strac's DLP solutions ensure adherence to compliance standards such as PCI, SOC 2, HIPAA, ISO-27001, CCPA, GDPR, and NIST.
• Instantaneous Email Redactions: Leverage real-time interventions by Strac's DLP, identifying and mitigating SharePoint data vulnerabilities as they arise.
• Comprehensive Audit Overviews: Document every SharePoint operation in detail. Strac simplifies audit logs for clear and accountable oversight.
• Effortless Integration: Incorporate Strac with SharePoint effortlessly, for consistent and fortified data safeguarding.
• Specialized Protection Across the Board: DLP solutions tailored for your distinct SharePoint environment, enhancing your data security profile.
• AI Integration: Beyond standard SaaS, Cloud, and Endpoint protections, Strac seamlessly works with LLM APIs and AI platforms such as ChatGPT, Google Bard, and Microsoft Copilot, enhancing the security of AI or LLM applications and the data they process. Learn more through Strac's developer documentation.
• Pioneering Data Security Intel: Stay abreast with Strac’s avant-garde insights on emerging data threats and potential weak points within SharePoint.
• Detailed Control & Configuration: Customize your SharePoint safety protocols to your preferences. See Strac’s full catalog of sensitive data elements.
• API Capabilities: Strac empowers developers with APIs for the detection and redaction of sensitive information. Access Strac’s API Docs.

To learn more about how Strac adds an extra layer of security and helps organizations comply with HIPAA regulations, see our guide to HIPAA Compliance. 

Book a free 30-minute demo for more.