How to Secure Your Drata for HIPAA and Obtain the HIPAA Badge/Seal

 

Securing your Drata platform for HIPAA compliance means ensuring it meets strict healthcare information security requirements. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is the federal law in the USA that protects sensitive patient data, called Protected Health Information (PHI). Using Drata can help you automate and monitor your HIPAA compliance — but it must be correctly configured and maintained.

• Access Control: Limit who can view or change sensitive information. Ensure strong, unique passwords and use Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) for all users. Regularly audit and remove users who no longer need access.
• Audit Logs: Enable and monitor logs that track who accesses data and what changes are made. Keep these logs for at least 6 years, as required by HIPAA.
• Encryption: Encrypt PHI “at rest” (when stored) and “in transit” (when moving between systems) using strong protocols. Drata supports integrations with common secure storage and communication solutions.
• Vendor Management: Make sure any apps or vendors connected to Drata (like cloud storage or HR systems) also meet HIPAA standards. Sign Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) where needed.
• Regular Risk Assessments: Document and periodically update a risk assessment. This helps identify where PHI could be at risk and guides future security improvements. Working with an experienced firm, such as OCD Tech, can make this process thorough and less stressful.
• Employee Training: Train your team on HIPAA rules and security best practices. Drata lets you track completion of HIPAA-compliance training modules. Everyone who might access PHI must be trained.
• Data Minimization and Retention: Only collect and keep the minimum necessary PHI. Set up automated retention and deletion policies in Drata to avoid storing unnecessary data.
• Incident Response Plan: Create a clear plan (and test it!) for what to do if PHI is breached. HIPAA requires breach notifications to patients and authorities quickly — Drata helps centralize response evidence, but you need an organized process.

 

How to Get the HIPAA Badge/Seal in Drata

 

In Drata, the “HIPAA badge” or compliance seal signals to partners, customers, and stakeholders that your practices align with HIPAA's requirements. To get this in Drata:

• Complete All HIPAA Controls: Drata provides a checklist of HIPAA controls (the rules you must follow). Upload your company policies, evidence, and documentation showing you meet each control. Use Drata's integrations to automate evidence collection where possible.
• Maintain Continuous Monitoring: Drata will alert you if a control is out-of-date or an integration (like cloud services) becomes non-compliant. Fix these issues quickly to avoid losing your badge.
• Periodic Reviews: Review your controls and evidence regularly—this is what auditors check during a HIPAA audit. If you want extra assurance, a readiness assessment with a firm such as OCD Tech can identify any blind spots before external review.
• Obtain Third-Party Validation (Optional But Recommended): Some organizations choose to hire a third-party auditor to validate HIPAA compliance in Drata for additional trust. This is not strictly required for the badge, but can strengthen your credibility.
• Display the Badge: Once all controls are met and up to date, Drata allows you to display the HIPAA badge/seal on your compliance dashboard and in sales/security documentation as evidence of compliance.

 

HIPAA Audit Requirements: What Reviewers Look For

 

Compliance auditors expect you to:

• Document Everything: Have up-to-date records of policies, risk assessments, training, vendor agreements, and access logs.
• Fix Gaps Fast: If a risk or control gap is found, act quickly and document your fix.
• Ongoing Oversight: HIPAA is not a one-time checkbox. Use Drata’s continuous monitoring features, and consider periodic outside reviews from experts like OCD Tech to stay ahead.

Securing your Drata for HIPAA and displaying the HIPAA badge/seal requires careful setup, vigilant management, and complete documentation. Drata makes much of this easier, but your active involvement in configuration, monitoring, and improvement—sometimes with outside help from partners like OCD Tech—is essential for lasting compliance.