Person or Entity Authentication Policy (UBIT HIPAA)

Category: HIPAA Security
Responsible Office: UBIT HIPAA Compliance
Responsible Executive: Vice President and Chief Information Officer (VPCIO)
Approved By (Name/Title): J. Brice Bible, VPCIO

CATEGORY: Technical Safeguards
TYPE: Standard
CITATION: 45 CFR 164.312(d)

The University at Buffalo Information Technology (UBIT) operates as a covered entity as defined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights. HIPAA Regulation Text 45 CFR 164.312(d) requires a covered entity to implement procedures to verify that a person or entity seeking access to electronic protected health information is the one claimed.

UBIT implements electronic mechanisms to verify the identity of any person or entity requesting access to ePHI, prior to granting access to the ePHI. UBIT uses an appropriate authentication method to take reasonable steps to ensure that only properly authenticated workforce members access ePHI.

This policy applies to all UBIT workforce members.

Workforce members: Adhere to policies and procedures as written.

HIPAA Security and Privacy Officer: Verifies the identity of any person or entity requesting access to ePHI, prior to granting access.

Compliance Officer: Participates in ensuring security of ePHI is effective and enforced, in conjunction with the HIPAA Security and Privacy Officer.

Date Approved: 12/4/2017