Phishing
Social-engineering attack that uses deceptive email, text, or voice messages to trick recipients into revealing credentials or installing malware.
1 min read · Last reviewed May 23, 2026
At a glance
- Category
- Security
- Primary sources
- 2
- Workspace handoff
- compliance binder →
Where this comes up
This sits inside the security risk analysis under 45 CFR 164.308(a)(1)(ii)(A) — workstation controls, EHR access roles, ePHI transmission encryption, audit logging, vendor risk, and incident response. Reviewers expect dated evidence of the control, not a policy PDF that says it exists.
Full definition
What it is in practice
Phishing is the most common initial-access vector in healthcare breaches reported to OCR. NIST SP 800-66 Rev. 2 recommends recurring security-awareness training and simulated phishing as part of the 45 CFR 164.308(a)(5) awareness program.
How it shows up in your practice
Combine MFA, email authentication (SPF/DKIM/DMARC), and monthly simulated phishing. Track click rates and target retraining at repeat clickers.
Sources
- 45 CFR 164.308 — Administrative safeguardshttps://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/section-164.308
- NIST SP 800-66 Rev. 2 — HIPAA Security Rule Implementation Guidehttps://csrc.nist.gov/pubs/sp/800/66/r2/final
Run a phishing simulation plan in the Compliance Binder
Open compliance binder →Related terms
- SecurityWorkforce TrainingHIPAA-required training of workforce members on the covered entity's privacy and security policies.
- SecurityMFA (Multi-Factor Authentication)Authentication requiring two or more independent factors — something you know, have, or are.
- SecurityIncident Response PlanThe documented plan describing how a covered entity detects, contains, eradicates, and recovers from a security incident.
- SecurityRansomwareMalicious software that encrypts data or systems and demands payment for decryption; HHS guidance generally presumes a ransomware event on ePHI is a HIPAA breach.
D3rx is a healthcare-billing and compliance research aid maintained by D3rx Inc. Articles are drafted by an LLM (Anthropic Claude) against primary HHS, OCR, CMS, eCFR, NIST, and state-regulator publications, and reviewed for restraint and source fidelity by the D3rx team.
Reviewer status: a named credentialed reviewer (CHC, CHPC, or healthcare attorney) is being engaged. Until that engagement is finalized, this page does not claim credentialed review.
Related across the archive
- GlossaryIncident Response PlanThe documented plan describing how a covered entity detects, contains, eradicates, and recovers from a security incident.
- GlossaryRansomwareMalicious software that encrypts data or systems and demands payment for decryption; HHS guidance generally presumes a ransomware event on ePHI is a HIPAA breach.
- GlossaryWorkforce TrainingHIPAA-required training of workforce members on the covered entity's privacy and security policies.
- GlossaryMFA (Multi-Factor Authentication)Authentication requiring two or more independent factors — something you know, have, or are.
- GlossaryAccess ControlsTechnical policies and procedures that allow only authorized persons or software programs to access ePHI.
- ComplianceAnnual HIPAA Training Curriculum (What to Cover + How to Document)A 2026 annual HIPAA training curriculum for small healthcare practices — eight required modules under 45 CFR 164.530(b) and 45 CFR 164.308(a)(5), with documentation templates.
- RegulationNIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0The 2024 update to the NIST CSF added the Govern function alongside Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover — providing a common language for organizational cybersecurity risk management.
- SRAHIPAA Contingency Plan for a Small PracticeWhat the Security Rule contingency plan standard at 45 CFR 164.308(a)(7) actually requires, including data backup, disaster recovery, emergency mode operation, and testing — for a small practice.
This glossary entry is a research aid for billing and compliance staff. It does not provide legal, medical, or financial advice and does not replace counsel. References cited link to primary sources at HHS, OCR, CMS, eCFR, NIST, and the relevant payer or industry body.