HIPA-12
Critical
Weight: 10

Failed Login Account Lockout

Plain English Explanation

This question asks if your system automatically locks user accounts after several incorrect password attempts. It's like a safe that stops accepting combinations after too many wrong tries - this prevents hackers from guessing passwords over and over (called a 'brute force attack') by temporarily or permanently disabling the account after a set number of failures.

Business Impact

Account lockout is a fundamental HIPAA security control that prevents password attacks on patient data systems. Without it, attackers can try unlimited password combinations until they break in. Healthcare organizations view this as a basic security requirement - lacking it suggests poor security practices overall and will likely disqualify you from healthcare opportunities.

Common Pitfalls

Companies often implement lockouts that are too aggressive (locking after 2-3 attempts) creating support headaches, or too lenient (10+ attempts) providing insufficient protection. Another mistake is not having a secure unlock process, or failing to alert administrators about lockout events which could indicate an attack in progress.

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Question Information

Category
HIPAA Compliance
Question ID
HIPA-12
Version
4.1.0
Importance
Critical
Weight
10/10

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