HIPAA Administrative Safeguards (45 CFR 164.308)
Nine standards covering security management, workforce security, training, contingency planning, incident procedures, evaluation, and business associate contracts.
Primary source
45 CFR 164.308 — eCFR →https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-C/part-164/subpart-C/section-164.308
Verified May 23, 2026 · This is the authoritative regulator URL. The summary below is a research aid; the linked source controls.
45 CFR 164.308 sets nine administrative safeguard standards. Each standard contains implementation specifications labeled required (R) or addressable (A).
The standards: Security Management Process (risk analysis R, risk management R, sanction policy R, information system activity review R); Assigned Security Responsibility (R); Workforce Security (authorization/supervision A, workforce clearance A, termination A); Information Access Management (isolating clearinghouse R, access authorization A, access establishment A); Security Awareness and Training (security reminders A, malware A, log-in monitoring A, password management A); Security Incident Procedures (response/reporting R); Contingency Plan (data backup R, disaster recovery R, emergency mode operation R, testing/revision A, applications/data criticality A); Evaluation (R, periodic); Business Associate Contracts (R).
Administrative safeguards are the program backbone. Technical and physical safeguards layer on top. A practice with strong technical controls but no documented sanction policy, workforce training records, or evaluation cadence is non-compliant on the administrative axis even if its technical stance is excellent.
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Related regulations
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Related across the archive
- RegulationHIPAA Contingency Plan Standard (45 CFR 164.308(a)(7))Required plans for responding to emergencies and other occurrences (fire, vandalism, system failure, natural disaster) that damage systems containing ePHI.
- RegulationHIPAA Security Risk Analysis Standard (45 CFR 164.308(a)(1)(ii)(A))Required implementation specification: conduct an accurate and thorough assessment of the potential risks and vulnerabilities to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of ePHI.
- RegulationHIPAA Security Rule: General Rules (45 CFR 164.306)Required objectives — confidentiality, integrity, and availability of ePHI — plus the flexibility provisions that govern how covered entities select and implement specific safeguards.
- RegulationHIPAA Security Access Control (45 CFR 164.312(a))Technical policies and procedures for systems containing ePHI to allow access only to those granted access rights, with required specifications for unique user identification and emergency access.
- ComplianceHIPAA Contingency Plan Template — 45 CFR § 164.308(a)(7)2026 HIPAA contingency plan template — 45 CFR § 164.308(a)(7) data backup, DRP, emergency mode, testing, and applications/data criticality analysis.
- SRAChange Healthcare Ransomware: What Small Practices Took AwayThe February 2024 Change Healthcare cyberattack, what HHS and UnitedHealth Group disclosed, and the small-practice lessons about clearinghouse concentration risk, contingency planning, and the Security Rule's information system activity review.
- GlossaryAccess ControlsTechnical policies and procedures that allow only authorized persons or software programs to access ePHI.
- BillingBusiness Associate Agreement Checklist for Small PracticesA working checklist for small practices to identify which vendors need a Business Associate Agreement, what clauses the BAA must contain, and how to track them.
Last reviewed May 23, 2026 · Citation verified May 23, 2026
Research aid, not legal advice. This summary is an administrative research aid prepared by D3rx. It does not certify compliance, provide legal advice, replace counsel, or guarantee an audit outcome. For authoritative regulatory text follow the primary source link at the top of this page. The practice remains responsible for reviewing, adopting, and maintaining its compliance program.