HIPAA violations are serious. Whenever they are discovered, healthcare providers in the United States must notify those affected by the breach, as well as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights, within 60 days of the discovery, or annually if the breach is minor. For serious breaches that affect 500 or more people, they must also issue a press release to a prominent media outlet in the state or jurisdiction. Despite their severity, HIPAA violations remain more common than they should, with over 700 reported by June 2026 alone. While there are several causes, these are the most common:
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Human Error
Hospitals regularly work with a trusted healthcare regulatory compliance attorney to obtain guidance on HIPAA policies, data security practices, and breach notification obligations, as HIPAA violations still occur due to human error.
Human error means that staff have accidentally discussed patient details in public areas or sent medical documents to the wrong recipients. They may also have accessed patient files they didn’t need for their specific job out of curiosity or, sometimes, for a more troubling reason.
In HIPAA violations caused by human error, the healthcare facility is legally required to contain the breach, conduct a risk assessment, and notify affected individuals. Sometimes, the person involved can even face disciplinary action.
Cyber Attacks and Digital Vulnerabilities
Today’s advanced digital age has been a game-changer for medical care. Hospitals now operate more efficiently, with greater seamless coordination among care providers. Still, it’s not perfect. Swapping paper for computers has left hospitals at risk of cyberattacks and exposed to digital vulnerabilities. Not surprisingly, these are among the leading causes of HIPAA violations. For example, phishing attacks can result in data breaches when fake emails trick employees into clicking harmful links or revealing their credentials. Outdated software can also easily let hackers in to lock or steal data.
Healthcare providers are particularly vulnerable when they don’t invest in IT infrastructure or implement adequate password protection, multi-factor authentication, or encryption. To prevent resultant breaches, the HIPAA Security Rule requires healthcare providers to implement technical, administrative, and physical safeguards.
Unsecured Devices
Given the frequent use of portable electronic devices in healthcare, it’s perhaps not surprising that they are a common cause of HIPAA violations. When laptops, smartphones, and tablets are left in cars or public areas, anyone who finds them can view sensitive patient data if the electronic protected health information isn’t encrypted.
Additionally, if a device goes missing and mobile device management software hasn’t been installed on it, the organization can’t remotely delete patient data to stop unauthorized access. It’s also much easier for unauthorized individuals to browse patient records when devices lack strong access controls, such as PINs and facial recognition.
Sharing Patient Information Through Non-Secure Channels
As convenient as it is to share patient data via text message or email, it’s a HIPAA rule violation. Patient health information shared through unsecured systems, such as texts and emails, can be intercepted, leading to unauthorized disclosure. To remain compliant, healthcare providers must use secure tools and platforms.
Healthcare regulatory compliance attorneys are kept busy in today’s advanced digital age. HIPAA violations, such as unsecured devices, cyber attacks, and human error, are just some of the many hundreds reported each year that require intervention by legal professionals.
