Guide to Implementing HICP
The Health Industry Cybersecurity Practices (HICP) framework was developed by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Health Sector Coordinating Council (HSCC) to help healthcare organizations strengthen their cyber resilience.
Unlike rigid certification programs, HICP offers a practical, risk-based roadmap that is helping hospitals, clinics, insurers, and their vendors protect patient data and maintain trust in an increasingly digital healthcare system.
What is HICP?
HICP stands for Health Industry Cybersecurity Practices and is a voluntary framework first published by HHS in 2018 and updated in 2023. It was created in response to the Cybersecurity Act of 2015, which called for practical, scalable recommendations to reduce cyber risks in healthcare.
The framework is divided into:
- Two audience profiles: Small organizations vs. medium/large organizations.
- Five key cybersecurity threats most likely to impact the healthcare sector.
- Ten recommended best practices for mitigating those risks.
Why HICP matters
Healthcare organizations have unique cybersecurity challenges: high data value, legacy systems, 24/7 operations, and limited downtime tolerance. HICP matters because it:
Aligns clinical operations and IT: Balances security with patient care continuity.
Scales by organization size: Adapts to resource and technology differences.
Bridges frameworks: Maps to NIST CSF, HIPAA Security Rule, and HITRUST CSF.
Encourages collaboration: Strengthens partnerships across providers, vendors, and regulators.
Five cybersecurity threats in HICP
The HICP framework identifies five threats as the most critical to healthcare security:
10 recommended practices
HICP defines ten best practices that map directly to the above threats. Each can be scaled depending on organization size, resources, and maturity.
Steps to implement HICP
Implementing HICP doesn’t require a full overhaul. Start with foundational practices and gradually expand as capabilities grow.
Book a demo to see how Complyance can automate HIPAA, HITRUST, and HICP frameworks in one platform.
FAQs
Is HICP mandatory? No. HICP is a voluntary framework, but it aligns closely with HIPAA and NIST CSF, making it a strategic tool for compliance readiness.
How does HICP differ from HIPAA? HIPAA defines legal requirements for PHI protection; HICP offers practical guidance to meet and exceed those requirements.
Does HICP certification exist? No. HICP is not a certifiable standard but adopting its practices strengthens your position for frameworks like HITRUST CSF.
How often should HICP be reviewed? At least annually, or after significant infrastructure or threat landscape changes.
Can Complyance support HICP adoption? Yes! Complyance automates evidence gathering, maps HICP to other frameworks, and monitors controls continuously for healthcare clients.
