By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    medicare part d benefits
    Everything that You Need to Know About Medicare Part D
    August 15, 2022
    Best Ways to Boost Your Immune System this Winter
    Best Ways to Boost Your Immune System this Winter
    November 15, 2022
    back pain issues
    Ways to Treat Constant Back Pain
    August 21, 2023
    Latest News
    How Probate Planning Shapes the Future of Your Estate and Family Care
    July 17, 2025
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    More On Wellness Programs To Improve Health and Reduce Costs
    January 25, 2012
    Privatizing Social Security and Medicare: Who Can Defuse Political Dynamite?
    June 12, 2011
    Study: Risk of Death in Elderly Patients with Dementia Doubled with Some Antipsychotic Medications
    February 26, 2012
    Latest News
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
    How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
    July 17, 2025
    How communities and healthcare providers can address slip and fall injuries with legal awareness
    July 17, 2025
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Two-Factor Authentication to Meet HIPAA and PCI Compliance
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Uncategorized > Two-Factor Authentication to Meet HIPAA and PCI Compliance
Uncategorized

Two-Factor Authentication to Meet HIPAA and PCI Compliance

onlinetech
onlinetech
Share
5 Min Read
Google's 2-Step Verification
SHARE

What is Two-Factor Authentication?

The simplest example may be the use of an ATM/debit card – this combines two factors; one is something you own (the card) and the other is something you know (the PIN number).

What is Two-Factor Authentication?

The simplest example may be the use of an ATM/debit card – this combines two factors; one is something you own (the card) and the other is something you know (the PIN number).

More Read

choose the right software to develop healthcare apps
Choosing the Best Software for Developing Healthcare Applications
Where are the Women CEOs in Health IT?
Linking ICD-10 and the Future of HCIT
How Hospitals Can Protect Patients From Identity Theft
Difference Between Medical Billing Software and EMR

Employees and other users may need to log into a private network to access data from a remote location, a VPN (virtual private network). In this scenario, one authentication factor includes logging into a web-based system with a username and password. The second authentication factor may include the use of a cell phone – with a smartphone, you can register your phone number with the system and receive a request to approve.

Or, by using a passcode via text message, you can log into the system with the randomized numbers sent to your phone. You can even answer a phone call and press a key in order to authenticate you are the authorized account holder.

There are other authentication factors that can be used – for example, biometrics requires something specific to you, from a fingerprint to voice recognition. Or, you can use something physical you own, like a keyfob.

Who’s Using Two-Factor Authentication?

One example of a company using two-factor is Google – they’ve implemented their version called “2-step verification” for Google account holders. After signing into your account with your email address and password, Google requires you to enter a verification code sent to you via text message or generated by your smartphone.

Google's 2-Step Verification

Google’s 2-Step Verification

Any organization concerned about security should consider implementing two-factor authentication for their VPN (virtual private network), regardless of their compliance requirements. Two-factor authentication lowers your risk of a data breach caused by unauthorized remote access to sensitive data.

PCI DSS Compliance Requirements

Two-factor is required by PCI compliance. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) mandate that organizations who “hold, process, or pass cardholder information” meet a minimum level of security. Part of this security is protecting remote access logins with strong authentication. PCI requirement 8.0 states organizations must assign a unique ID to each person with computer access.

Specifically, section 8.3 requires organizations to implement two-factor authentication for remote access to the network by employees, administrators, and third parties. To achieve compliance with this requirement, you should use technologies such as remote authentication and dial-in service (RADIUS) or terminal access controller access control system (TACACS) with tokens; or other technologies that facilitate two-factor authentication.

Two-Factor Authentication for HIPAA Compliance

Two-factor authentication is also recommended in order to meet HIPAA compliance, as it adds an extra layer of security that can prevent unauthorized access.

A recent article from ModernHealthcare.com demonstrates the need for strong authentication in the healthcare industry. The Privacy and Security Tiger Team of the Health IT Policy Committee is proposing rules for Stage 2 meaningful use that will govern security recommendations to authenticate the identity of patients as they log into their patient portals to download or view their personal health records.

While the policy committee intends to propose a rule requiring at least single-factor authentication while accessing records via a patient portal, two-factor authentication can offer significantly more security with minimal effort and cost.

Related Resources

Two-Factor Authentication FAQ

Two-Factor Authentication FAQ

Read our Two-Factor Authentication for VPN Login FAQ for further information.

Find other PCI compliant resources here. And watch this webinar or read the transcript, PCI Compliance: Detailed Requirements, for a comprehensive overview of the required technology to achieve PCI DSS compliance.

References:
PCI DSS Quick Reference Guide: Understanding the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard Version 2.0 (PDF)
Defender 5: The Right Way to Prove, Identify and Establish Trust from Quest Software
Federal Privacy Work Group Wants EHRs to Verify Patient ID

TAGGED:two-factor authentication
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
Global Healthcare Policy & Law
July 17, 2025
paramedics in surgical gloves and masks
How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
Health care
July 16, 2025
a woman giving a key
How Probate Planning Shapes the Future of Your Estate and Family Care
Health
July 16, 2025
a woman with kinesio tapes on her back arm
How communities and healthcare providers can address slip and fall injuries with legal awareness
Health care
July 16, 2025

You Might also Like

Disabilities
NewsUncategorized

How to Effectively Support Employees With Disabilities

July 15, 2021
Empowering Healthcare Professionals
News

Workplace Discrimination in the Medical Field: Empowering Healthcare Professionals

August 8, 2023
Healthcare Franchise
Health care

Choosing The Right Healthcare Franchise For Your Family

April 14, 2023
Infectious Diseases
NewsUncategorized

5 Tips to Minimize Workplace Liability from Infectious Diseases

June 16, 2021
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?