Information Governance And Legal Functions According To The

Information Governance And Legal Functions According To The Authors

Information Governance and Legal Functions: According to the authors, Smallwood, Kahn, and Murphy, IG is perhaps one of the functional areas that impact legal functions most. Failure to meet them could be literally put an organization out of business or land executives in prison. Privacy, security, records management, information technology (IT), and business management functions are very important. However, the most significant aspect of all of these functions relates to legality and regulatory compliance from a critical perspective. For this discussion, identify the industry you will be writing about in your final paper and discuss the regulatory compliance requirements that the company has to meet and the corresponding security, privacy, and records management functions that would need to be enabled for that organization. Keep in mind that confidentiality, data protection, and compliance with relevant laws are central to effective information governance in any industry, especially those handling sensitive data such as healthcare, finance, or legal services.

Paper For Above instruction

Information governance (IG) plays a vital role in ensuring legal compliance and operational integrity within various industries. For this paper, I will focus on the healthcare industry, which is heavily regulated due to the sensitive nature of patient data and the critical need to protect individual privacy and maintain data integrity. Key regulatory compliance requirements for healthcare organizations are rooted in laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States, which establishes standards for safeguarding protected health information (PHI). Compliance with HIPAA mandates strict access controls, audit trails, breach notifications, and secure data storage, all of which are essential components of a robust information governance strategy.

In the context of healthcare, regulatory compliance requires the implementation of comprehensive security measures to protect patient data from unauthorized access, breaches, and cyberattacks. These measures include the use of encryption for data at rest and in transit, multi-factor authentication for access control, and regular security audits and vulnerability assessments. Privacy functions are achieved through policies that govern who can access sensitive information, under what circumstances, and how it can be shared. Healthcare providers must also educate staff on privacy protocols and conduct regular training to prevent accidental disclosures or violations.

Record management functions are equally critical, as healthcare organizations are required to retain patient records for specific periods under federal and state laws. Efficient records management ensures that records are accurate, complete, and accessible when needed for legal, medical, or administrative purposes. Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems must be designed to facilitate compliance, with audit logs that track access and modifications to patient information. Data retention policies must align with legal requirements, and secure backups should be maintained to prevent loss of critical data.

The intersection of IG and legal compliance in healthcare underscores the importance of establishing clear policies, leveraging technology solutions, and fostering a culture of compliance. The failure to adhere to these standards can result in legal penalties, hefty fines, loss of trust, and damage to reputation. For example, a breach of PHI not only violates HIPAA but also exposes the organization to class-action lawsuits and regulatory sanctions. Therefore, integrating security, privacy, and records management functions into a cohesive framework is essential for healthcare organizations to meet regulatory obligations and protect patient rights.

In conclusion, healthcare organizations operate within a highly regulated environment that demands diligent attention to legal compliance requirements. Robust security, privacy, and records management functions are indispensable components of effective information governance, ensuring that organizations remain compliant, secure, and trustworthy. As technology evolves and cyber threats increase, continuous assessment and improvement of these functions are necessary to safeguard sensitive health information and support the organization's legal and operational integrity.

References

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  • McKinsey & Company. (2020). Securing the future of healthcare data: Privacy and security priorities. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/healthcare-systems-and-services/our-insights/securing-the-future-of-healthcare-data
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