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ADHICS v2.0: Healthcare Compliance with Complyan

February 14, 2025
Compliance Frameworks, COMPLYAN

With the rise of electronic health records and digital health platforms, protecting sensitive patient information has become a cornerstone of modern healthcare management. For healthcare organizations in Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Healthcare Information and Cyber Security Standard (ADHICS) sets a gold standard for data protection and cybersecurity.

ADHICS is a comprehensive framework designed to safeguard healthcare information and ensure robust cybersecurity practices across healthcare entities in the emirate. It outlines essential security controls and best practices that healthcare organizations must implement to protect patient data from cyber threats, unauthorized access, and breaches.

In May 2024, the Department of Health (DoH) introduced ADHICS Version 2.0, reflecting the evolving cybersecurity landscape and incorporating feedback from the healthcare sector. This updated standard introduces several key enhancements:

 

  1. Cloud Services Integration: ADHICS v2.0 formally acknowledges the use of cloud services, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure, for storing and processing healthcare data within the UAE. However, it enforces strict controls on cross-border data transfers, requiring explicit approvals to ensure data sovereignty.
  2. Tiered Compliance Framework: The new version introduces a three-tiered structure: Basic, Transitional, and Advanced Controls which fits requirements to the size and complexity of healthcare entities, some within six months of the date of release of the standard. This ensures that all organizations, from small clinics to large hospitals, can achieve compliance in a scalable manner.
  3. Phased Policy Development: ADHICS v2.0 mandates the development or updating of over 15 critical cybersecurity policies, including Access Control and Incident Management. The phased approach allows organizations to gradually enhance their security practices without overwhelming resources.

Complyan for ADHICS v2.0 Compliance

Achieving, maintaining, and keeping up with updates for compliance standards like ADHICS v2.0 can be complex and resource intensive. Complyan simplifies this process through its robust and adaptive compliance management tools. Here’s how Complyan can help healthcare organizations navigate ADHICS v2.0 requirements effectively:

  1. Regular Framework Updates: Complyan ensures that all compliance frameworks on its platform are regularly updated to reflect the latest standards and regulatory changes. This proactive approach minimizes the risk of falling out of compliance due to evolving requirements.
  2. Comprehensive Policy Templates & Dashboards: The platform offers a rich library of policy templates and compliance dashboards that not only detect existing gaps but also guide organizations in the thorough implementation of missing controls. These tools provide a clear roadmap to full compliance, simplifying the process of aligning with ADHICS requirements.

     

  3. Adherence to National Regulations: Complyan guarantees that national-level regulations, particularly those concerning data sovereignty and privacy, are strictly maintained. This is in line with ADHICS’s stringent guidelines on cloud storage and data residency within the UAE, ensuring that sensitive healthcare information is handled with the utmost care and in compliance with legal requirements.

     

  4. Cross-Framework Control Mapping: Many controls in areas such as Incident Management and Access Control are common across various international standards and frameworks. Complyan allows for these controls to be seamlessly mapped to related ADHICS controls, ensuring that organizations can leverage their existing compliance efforts while adapting to ADHICS-specific requirements. This not only reduces redundancy but also streamlines the overall compliance process.

     

  5. Tiered Compliance Prioritization: Complyan typically tags all foundational requirements as always applicable/default and high priority which is in line with ADHICS Basic Control implementation strategy. This ensures that critical controls are implemented universally, regardless of an organization’s size. As organizations grow or evolve, they can build upon these always-applicable controls to meet additional requirements specific to their operational complexity, such as those involving partnerships with third parties like insurance companies.

Conclusion

As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, healthcare organizations in Abu Dhabi must stay ahead by aligning with robust standards like ADHICS v2.0. Compliance not only ensures regulatory adherence but also protects sensitive patient data, enhances operational resilience, and builds trust within the community. With Complyan, navigating the complexities of ADHICS v2.0 becomes seamless, empowering healthcare entities to achieve and maintain the highest standards of cybersecurity and data protection.