Internal audit logs are essential for monitoring activity in your network. This article explains the importance of HIPAA log requirements. Internal audit logs are records that record events based on user and system applications. Internal audit trails include audit logs of users, applications, and systems. Audit trails are used by internal audit service UAE teams to keep track of system activity, both by application processes and user activity.
What Makes Internal Audit Controls So Important
These logs can be used by internal audit firms in UAE and other financial statement preparers to protect your company’s information, regardless of whether it is traffic from employees or other sources. These logs are an important part of risk management.
HIPAA log retention is crucial for internal audit services in Dubai to consider. Investigators could not have been able to find the incriminating records if companies do not have archive the logs. HIPAA log retention regulations require that entities in Dubai and UAE keep and archive these logs at least for six years, unless there are stricter state requirements.
What HIPAA Security Rule States
These Dubai, UAE organizations will need to implement hardware, software, or procedural mechanisms to record and examine activity in information system that contains or uses electronic protected health information. Information systems are all electronic devices and applications that are used within the company’s network such as computers, smartphones, internal server, and email. HIPAA auditing requires that organizations regularly monitor network activity and device use.
Internal audit service Dubai specialists must keep and review audit logs, regardless of whether you work for a dental or medical practice, a health insurance agency, or an employee in an organization that maintains health records. This will ensure companies in Dubai and UAE comply with HIPAA regulations and protect any information that the entity may have. It is not difficult to create a log. For the sake of records, internal audit teams can use a HIPAA audit log template.
This information should be included in the Audit Logs
Risk Assessments and Risk Analyses are done proactively. Risk Analyses are retroactively performed after an incident.
- Authorizations to disclose PHI
- Disaster Recovery and Contingency Plans
- Business Associate Agreements
- Privacy and Information Security Policies
- Employee Sanction Policy
- Documentation for Incident and Breach Notification
- Documentation for Complaint Resolution
- Maintaining physical security records
- IT security system analysis (including the implementation of new technologies or procedures)
- Logs recording access so as to update PHA.
This type of activity can be exemplified by:
- Logging in by workforce members
- The number of unsuccessful logins attempts to a computer
- When was the last time you updated your software?
- Who downloaded the new program? What was the name of that program?
- What passwords were changed and by whom?
- Who was logged in to HR systems at a particular time?
- Who accessed the information?
This goes beyond electronic systems. Keep a log of access by employees if you store information in paper files. Company audit teams should include information about the time files were removed from the file room in these logs. We recommend that employees “sign out” files.
Internal audit function teams should also log any repairs made to physical assets. Keep track of all disposed devices. These devices should be properly protected and sanitized. Many software systems that most companies in Dubai use today can keep detailed logs. These logs should be consolidated by the IT department so that they can be easily accessed.
Audit trails and logs must be reviewed immediately after a security incident. This will allow certified internal audit in Dubai to determine if the information has been altered. Audit trails, aside from cybersecurity incidents can help you find flaws in the network and fix them before they become serious. You can also use this process to ensure that applications work as they should.
How to Keep HIPAA Internal Audit Compliance
HIPAA compliance starts with keeping detailed logs. To protect your business, consider the following steps.
- Create policies and procedures that govern audit handling.
- Second, train staff about changes in procedures.
- Third, make sure to keep your audit trails and logs up-to-date by reviewing them regularly.
These logs should be kept for at least 6 years to ensure HIPAA compliance. The logs should be kept in raw form for at least six (6) months up to one (1) year. These logs can then be stored in a compressed form.
A HIPAA compliance service, such as us, can provide helpful guidance in establishing logs that will allow the internal audit teams to monitor your network. The HIPAA Prime, a complete solution, helps the teams to build a strong compliance program. The internal audit staff can protect PHI from any attempts to compromise it by having the right documents.
What Audit Firms in Dubai Can Do for You
Auditor can help streamline your internal audit process efficiently and timely. Find out more by visiting our website.