hipaa

name	hipaa
description	Deep HIPAA Security Rule technical audit mapping code-level findings to 45 CFR sections. Covers administrative safeguards (164.308 -- risk analysis, workforce security, access management, incident procedures, contingency planning), physical safeguards (164.310 -- facility access, workstation security, session timeout, device controls, crypto-shredding), and technical safeguards (164.312 -- unique user IDs, emergency break-glass access, automatic logoff, AES-256 PHI encryption, audit controls with 6-year retention, data integrity checksums, MFA authentication, TLS transmission security, network segmentation). Traces PHI data flows through ingestion, processing, caching, storage, transmission, and disposal. Use when building or auditing healthcare apps, EHR integrations, FHIR APIs, telehealth platforms, or any system handling protected health information.
version	2.0.0
category	security
platforms	["CLAUDE_CODE"]

You are in AUTONOMOUS MODE. Do NOT ask questions. Audit every HIPAA Security Rule safeguard systematically against the actual codebase.

TARGET: $ARGUMENTS

If no arguments provided, audit the entire project in the current working directory against all HIPAA Security Rule safeguards. If a specific safeguard category is named (e.g., "technical only", "audit controls"), focus there but still note cross-cutting gaps.

============================================================ PHASE 0: SYSTEM CHARACTERIZATION

Before auditing, characterize the system:

1. Detect the tech stack (package.json, requirements.txt, pom.xml, go.mod, etc.).
2. Identify the system architecture:
   • Monolith or microservices?
   • What database(s)? (PostgreSQL, MongoDB, DynamoDB, etc.)
   • What cloud provider? (AWS, Azure, GCP, on-prem)
   • What authentication system? (custom JWT, OAuth2, SAML, SMART on FHIR)
   • What message queues or event buses?
   • What file/blob storage?
3. Map PHI-containing components:
   • Which data models/tables contain PHI?
   • Which services process PHI?
   • Which APIs accept or return PHI?
   • Where is PHI cached (Redis, in-memory, CDN)?
4. Identify covered entities vs business associates in the architecture.

============================================================ PHASE 1: ADMINISTRATIVE SAFEGUARDS (45 CFR 164.308)

Scan for administrative safeguard implementation in code and configuration:

SECURITY MANAGEMENT PROCESS (164.308(a)(1)):

• Risk analysis: search for risk assessment documentation, threat models, or security review artifacts in the codebase.
• Risk management: check for security controls that mitigate identified risks.
• Sanction policy: search for account lockout, access revocation, or disciplinary workflow code.
• Information system activity review: verify audit log review mechanisms exist.

WORKFORCE SECURITY (164.308(a)(3)):

• Authorization/supervision: check for role hierarchy definitions.
• Workforce clearance: search for background check status fields in user models.
• Termination procedures: check for account deactivation workflows, not deletion. Verify deactivated accounts cannot authenticate.

INFORMATION ACCESS MANAGEMENT (164.308(a)(4)):

• Access authorization: check for formal access request/approval workflows in code.
• Access establishment: verify new user provisioning includes role assignment.
• Access modification: check for role change audit trails.
• Isolating healthcare clearinghouse functions (if applicable).

SECURITY AWARENESS (164.308(a)(5)):

• Security reminders: check for in-app security notifications or training prompts.
• Malicious software protection: check for file upload scanning, input sanitization.
• Login monitoring: verify failed login tracking and alerting.
• Password management: check password complexity rules, rotation policies, history enforcement.

SECURITY INCIDENT PROCEDURES (164.308(a)(6)):

• Incident response: search for incident detection, logging, and escalation code.
• Check for anomaly detection on PHI access patterns.
• Verify incident documentation capabilities (timestamps, actors, impact).

CONTINGENCY PLAN (164.308(a)(7)):

• Data backup plan: check for backup configuration (frequency, encryption, testing).
• Disaster recovery: search for DR configuration, failover mechanisms.
• Emergency mode operation: check for degraded-mode functionality.
• Testing and revision: search for backup restore test artifacts.

EVALUATION (164.308(a)(8)):

• Search for security review schedules, penetration test reports, or compliance scan configurations in CI/CD.

============================================================ PHASE 2: PHYSICAL SAFEGUARDS (45 CFR 164.310)

Scan for physical safeguard implementation (in infrastructure config and code):

FACILITY ACCESS CONTROLS (164.310(a)(1)):

• Check cloud provider configuration for region restrictions.
• Verify infrastructure-as-code restricts physical deployment locations.
• Check for environment isolation (dev/staging/prod separation).

WORKSTATION USE AND SECURITY (164.310(b)/(c)):

• Check for session timeout configuration in web/mobile clients.
• Verify screen lock enforcement (mobile MDM configuration if present).
• Check for auto-logout on inactivity thresholds.
• Verify clipboard clearing for PHI data in mobile apps.

DEVICE AND MEDIA CONTROLS (164.310(d)(1)):

• Disposal: check for data sanitization code (secure delete, crypto-shredding).
• Media re-use: verify temp files containing PHI are securely cleaned.
• Accountability: check for device tracking/registration features.
• Data backup and storage: verify portable media encryption requirements.

============================================================ PHASE 3: TECHNICAL SAFEGUARDS (45 CFR 164.312)

This is the primary code audit phase. Scan deeply for each technical safeguard:

ACCESS CONTROL (164.312(a)(1)):

Unique User Identification:

• Verify every user gets a unique identifier (no shared accounts).
• Check user model for unique constraints on username/email.
• Flag any shared service accounts that access PHI.
• Verify API clients have unique identifiers (not shared API keys).

Emergency Access Procedure:

• Search for break-glass or emergency access mechanisms.
• Check if emergency access is logged separately.
• Verify emergency access is time-bounded and audited.
• Flag absence of any emergency access capability.

Automatic Logoff:

• Check session timeout values (web: 15-30 min recommended for PHI).
• Verify server-side session expiration (not just client-side).
• Check for token expiration on JWT-based systems.
• Verify idle timeout vs absolute timeout distinction.
• Check mobile app background timeout behavior.

Encryption and Decryption:

• Database encryption: check for TDE, column-level, or application-level encryption.
• File storage encryption: verify S3 SSE, Azure Storage encryption, or equivalent.
• Application-level encryption: search for encrypt/decrypt functions on PHI fields.
• Key management: check for KMS integration, key rotation, key separation.
• Flag PHI fields stored in plaintext.
• Check encryption algorithms: AES-256 required, flag AES-128 or weaker.
• Verify encryption key storage (not hardcoded, not in same DB as encrypted data).

AUDIT CONTROLS (164.312(b)):

Comprehensive Audit Logging:

• Map every PHI access point (API endpoint, database query, file read).
• Verify each access point has audit logging.
• Check audit log content: timestamp, user ID, action, resource, patient ID, IP address, user agent.
• Verify read access is logged (not just writes).
• Check for bulk export/download audit logging.
• Verify audit logs for failed access attempts.
• Flag any PHI access path that bypasses audit logging.

Audit Log Protection:

• Verify audit logs are stored separately from application data.
• Check for tamper protection (append-only, signed, blockchain-backed).
• Verify audit log encryption.
• Check retention policy (HIPAA requires 6 years minimum).
• Flag if audit logs can be deleted by application admins.

Audit Log Review:

• Search for log analysis/review mechanisms.
• Check for automated alerts on suspicious access patterns.
• Verify dashboards or reporting on audit data.

INTEGRITY (164.312(c)(1)):

Data Integrity Mechanisms:

• Check for checksums or hashes on PHI records.
• Verify database constraints (NOT NULL, CHECK, FK) on PHI tables.
• Check for optimistic locking on concurrent PHI updates.
• Verify input validation on all PHI data entry points.
• Check for data corruption detection mechanisms.

Electronic PHI Integrity:

• Verify digital signatures on clinical documents.
• Check for version control on PHI records (audit trail of changes).
• Verify immutability of finalized clinical records (amendments, not edits).

PERSON OR ENTITY AUTHENTICATION (164.312(d)):

Authentication Strength:

• Check password hashing algorithm: bcrypt/scrypt/argon2 required. Flag MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256 without salt/stretching.
• Verify salt is unique per user (not global).
• Check work factor / iteration count (bcrypt cost >= 12).
• Verify MFA implementation for PHI access.
• Check for certificate-based authentication (if applicable).
• Verify OAuth2/OIDC implementation correctness.

Session Management:

• Check session token generation (cryptographically random, sufficient entropy).
• Verify session invalidation on logout (server-side, not just client cookie).
• Check for session fixation prevention.
• Verify concurrent session handling (limit or detect).
• Check cookie flags: Secure, HttpOnly, SameSite.

TRANSMISSION SECURITY (164.312(e)(1)):

Encryption in Transit:

• Verify TLS 1.2+ enforcement on all PHI endpoints.
• Check for HSTS headers.
• Flag any HTTP (non-TLS) endpoints that handle PHI.
• Check TLS configuration: cipher suites, certificate validation.
• Verify internal service-to-service encryption (mTLS or equivalent).

Integrity Controls:

• Check for message authentication (HMAC, digital signatures) on PHI transmissions.
• Verify API request signing or integrity verification.
• Check for replay attack prevention (nonce, timestamp validation).

Network Controls:

• Check for network segmentation configuration (VPC, security groups).
• Verify database is not publicly accessible.
• Check for WAF or API gateway configuration.
• Verify PHI endpoints are not exposed on public networks without auth.

============================================================ PHASE 4: PHI DATA FLOW ANALYSIS

Trace PHI through the entire system:

INGESTION:

• How does PHI enter the system? (API, file upload, HL7 feed, FHIR, manual entry)
• Is PHI validated and sanitized at ingestion?
• Is ingestion logged?

PROCESSING:

• Which services/functions process PHI?
• Is PHI ever logged during processing? (flag if so)
• Are temporary copies created? (flag if not cleaned)
• Is PHI passed via message queues? (verify queue encryption)

STORAGE:

• Primary database: encrypted? field-level or full-disk?
• Cache layer: is PHI cached? cache TTL? cache encryption?
• File storage: encrypted? access controlled?
• Backups: encrypted? access controlled? retention policy?

TRANSMISSION:

• Internal: service-to-service, message queue, event bus
• External: API responses, email, fax, file export, HL7/FHIR
• Is all transmission encrypted?

DISPOSAL:

• Record deletion: soft delete or hard delete?
• Data retention policies implemented in code?
• Secure deletion (overwrite, not just delete)?
• Backup data disposal aligned with retention?

============================================================ SELF-HEALING VALIDATION (max 2 iterations)

After producing the security analysis, validate thoroughness:

1. Verify every category in the audit was actually checked (not skipped).
2. Verify every finding has a specific file:line location.
3. Verify severity ratings are justified by impact assessment.
4. Verify no false positives by re-reading flagged code in context.

IF VALIDATION FAILS:

• Re-audit skipped categories or vague findings
• Verify or remove false positives
• Repeat up to 2 iterations

============================================================ OUTPUT

HIPAA Security Rule Technical Audit

Project: [name] Stack: [detected technologies] PHI-Containing Components: [count] models, [count] services, [count] endpoints Date: [date]

Safeguard Summary

Safeguard Category	Section	Status	Critical	High	Medium	Low
Administrative — Security Management	164.308(a)(1)	[PASS/WARN/FAIL]	N	N	N	N
Administrative — Workforce Security	164.308(a)(3)	[PASS/WARN/FAIL]	N	N	N	N
Administrative — Info Access Mgmt	164.308(a)(4)	[PASS/WARN/FAIL]	N	N	N	N
Administrative — Security Awareness	164.308(a)(5)	[PASS/WARN/FAIL]	N	N	N	N
Administrative — Incident Procedures	164.308(a)(6)	[PASS/WARN/FAIL]	N	N	N	N
Administrative — Contingency Plan	164.308(a)(7)	[PASS/WARN/FAIL]	N	N	N	N
Physical — Facility Access	164.310(a)(1)	[PASS/WARN/FAIL]	N	N	N	N
Physical — Workstation Security	164.310(b)/(c)	[PASS/WARN/FAIL]	N	N	N	N
Physical — Device/Media Controls	164.310(d)(1)	[PASS/WARN/FAIL]	N	N	N	N
Technical — Access Control	164.312(a)(1)	[PASS/WARN/FAIL]	N	N	N	N
Technical — Audit Controls	164.312(b)	[PASS/WARN/FAIL]	N	N	N	N
Technical — Integrity	164.312(c)(1)	[PASS/WARN/FAIL]	N	N	N	N
Technical — Authentication	164.312(d)	[PASS/WARN/FAIL]	N	N	N	N
Technical — Transmission Security	164.312(e)(1)	[PASS/WARN/FAIL]

PHI Data Flow Map

Ingestion: [sources] -> Processing: [services] -> Storage: [databases/caches] -> Transmission: [destinations] Disposal: [retention policy and mechanism]

Detailed Findings

For each safeguard with WARN or FAIL:

[Safeguard — CFR Section]

#	Severity	File	Line	Requirement	Gap	Remediation
1	Critical	path/to/file.ts	42	164.312(a)(2)(iv)	PHI stored unencrypted	Implement AES-256 field-level encryption

Encryption Assessment

Layer	Method	Algorithm	Key Management	Status
Database at rest	[TDE/column/app-level/none]	[AES-256/etc.]	[KMS/env/hardcoded]	[OK/FAIL]
File storage	[SSE/client-side/none]	[AES-256/etc.]	[KMS/etc.]	[OK/FAIL]
In transit	[TLS version]	[cipher suite]	[cert source]	[OK/FAIL]
Backups	[encrypted/unencrypted]	[algorithm]	[key source]	[OK/FAIL]

Access Control Matrix

Role	PHI Read	PHI Write	PHI Delete	Admin	Audit View
[role]	[yes/no]	[yes/no]	[yes/no]	[yes/no]	[yes/no]

Risk Summary

• Critical findings: N (direct HIPAA violation, breach risk)
• High findings: N (significant gap, likely violation under audit)
• Medium findings: N (addressable implementation specification gap)
• Low findings: N (best practice, defense-in-depth improvement)

Remediation Roadmap

[Ordered by severity and implementation dependency, with effort estimates]

============================================================ NEXT STEPS

After reviewing the audit:

• "Run /healthcare-compliance for a broader regulatory audit including Privacy Rule, HITECH, and Cures Act."
• "Run /encryption to implement or upgrade encryption controls flagged in this audit."
• "Run /pentest to verify exploitability of access control and authentication findings."
• "Run /secure for general security hardening beyond HIPAA-specific requirements."
• "Run /soc2 to assess SOC 2 Type II controls that overlap with HIPAA Security Rule."

============================================================ SELF-EVOLUTION TELEMETRY

After producing output, record execution metadata for the /evolve pipeline.

Check if a project memory directory exists:

• Look for the project path in ~/.claude/projects/
• If found, append to skill-telemetry.md in that memory directory

Entry format:

### /hipaa — {{YYYY-MM-DD}}
- Outcome: {{SUCCESS | PARTIAL | FAILED}}
- Self-healed: {{yes — what was healed | no}}
- Iterations used: {{N}} / {{N max}}
- Bottleneck: {{phase that struggled or "none"}}
- Suggestion: {{one-line improvement idea for /evolve, or "none"}}

Only log if the memory directory exists. Skip silently if not found. Keep entries concise — /evolve will parse these for skill improvement signals.

============================================================ DO NOT

• Do NOT modify any code -- this is an audit skill, not a remediation skill.
• Do NOT expose actual PHI found in code, config, logs, or test data -- redact and note location only.
• Do NOT provide legal interpretations of HIPAA -- flag ambiguous areas for legal/compliance review.
• Do NOT skip "addressable" implementation specifications -- they still require documented risk decisions.
• Do NOT mark a safeguard as PASS without scanning the codebase for relevant implementation evidence.
• Do NOT assume cloud provider defaults satisfy HIPAA -- verify explicit configuration exists.
• Do NOT treat the absence of PHI-handling code as compliance -- missing controls are findings.
• Do NOT install external scanning tools -- analyze code, configuration, and infrastructure files directly.
• Do NOT conflate required vs addressable specifications without noting the distinction.