HHS releases final data security principles for Precision Medicine Initiative

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A priority of the federal government's Precision Medicine Initiative was to establish a framework to ensure data involved in the PMI remains private and secure. Now, HHS has released the final Data Security Policy Principles and Framework for the PMI.

The framework outlines security expectations for organizations participating in the PMI, as well as a risk management approach to achieve those principles.

"Participant-contributed data is the foundational asset of PMI, and participants deserve assurance that it is being protected and used responsibly," according to the framework. "In order to establish trust and encourage widespread participation and donation of health data, PMI organizations should adopt consistent policies and practices, provide clarity about objectives and expectations, and be transparent about systems and data use."

In a post announcing the release of the final framework, HHS Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell acknowledged that security risks are constantly changing, and managing data security requires flexibility. As such, the framework is designed to be adaptable so organizations can address their specific needs.

"Today, our healthcare system is standing on the verge of unprecedented breakthroughs in the way we care for patients and treat disease," wrote Secretary Burwell. "Thanks to President Obama's Precision Medicine Initiative, we have a greater opportunity to make those breakthroughs a reality. And by protecting the healthcare data that powers those breakthroughs, we can make sure that every American is healthier and their healthcare data is secure."

Click here to access the security framework.

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