Does the application log record access including specific user, date/time of access, and originating IP or device?
Explanation
Guidance
Refer to HIPAA regulations documentation for supplemental guidance in this section.
Example Responses
Example Response 1
Yes, our application maintains comprehensive access logs that capture all required elements Each time a user accesses the system, we record the authenticated username, precise timestamp (date and time to the second in UTC format), and the originating IP address Additionally, we capture the device type, browser information, and session identifiers These logs are stored in a separate, secured database with write-only access during normal operations, and they cannot be modified by regular users or administrators All logs are retained for a minimum of 6 years in compliance with HIPAA retention requirements Our logging system also generates alerts for suspicious access patterns, such as access from unusual locations or outside normal business hours.
Example Response 2
Yes, our application implements robust access logging as required by HIPAA Our logging system captures the unique user ID of the authenticated user, timestamp information (including date, time, and timezone), and the originating IP address and device fingerprint These logs are centrally collected using our SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) platform, which provides real-time monitoring and alerting capabilities The logs are stored in an encrypted format and are retained for 7 years to exceed HIPAA's 6-year retention requirement We also maintain a chain of custody for all logs, and any access to the logs themselves is also logged to prevent tampering Regular log reviews are conducted as part of our security operations procedures.
Example Response 3
No, our application currently has partial logging capabilities that don't fully meet HIPAA requirements While we do record the date and time of access, our system only logs generic user roles (e.g., 'administrator', 'physician') rather than specific user identities Additionally, we don't consistently capture originating IP addresses or device information We recognize this as a compliance gap and have scheduled development work to enhance our logging capabilities in the next quarter In the interim, we have implemented compensating controls including enhanced network-level logging through our firewall and VPN solutions, which do capture IP addresses and can be correlated with application access We're also conducting more frequent manual access reviews until the automated logging is fully implemented.
Context
- Tab
- Case-Specific
- Category
- HIPAA Compliance

