HIPAA’s New Login Frontier:
Why MFA may soon be required for Healthcare Login Systems
The Changing
HIPAA Landscape
While still pending finalization, a new HIPAA mandate requiring multi-factor authentication (MFA) is expected to be implemented in 2026. At the start of 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to update the HIPAA Security Rule for the first time in nearly two decades.
This update makes MFA a mandatory, not optional, safeguard for all systems that create, receive, maintain, or transmit electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI).
The proposed updates are designed to enhance the protection and privacy of electronic protected health information (ePHI) in light of today’s rapidly evolving cybersecurity threats and technological advancements. If adopted as written, these changes will have major implications for healthcare organizations, business associates, and all entities required to comply with HIPAA.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is one of the most effective ways to protect healthcare systems from credential-based attacks, which remain the leading cause of data breaches in the industry. With vast volumes of electronic protected health information (ePHI) accessible through portals, EHR platforms like Epic and Cerner, and EPCS systems, a single compromised password can expose millions of records.
75%
of US Healthcare Organizations reported patient care disruption due to
cyberattacks in 2024.
276,775,457
Individuals had their protected health information exposed or stolen in 2024, according to the HIPAA Journal.
$7.42 Mil
is the average cost of a healthcare data breach in 2025, the highest among all industries for a 14th consecutive year.
On paper, MFA is simple. In practice, it’s one of the hardest things for hospitals to implement. Here’s why:
01 Shared Workstations
Clinicians move from one workstation to another dozens of times per shift.
02 Cleanroom Environments
PPE makes fingerprints or face recognition unreliable.
03 Time Sensitivity
Every second matters in patient care. A 30-second delay to reset a password or complete MFA isn’t just frustrating it can affect patient care
Meeting the new HIPAA Security Rule requirements isn’t about swapping login methods or checking a compliance box. It’s about implementing authentication that works in real-world hospital environments. The right approach will deliver compliance, usability for clinicians, and measurable security improvements.
Where does Tx Systems come in?
While the rules of HIPAA are still evolving, Tx Systems can assist your organization to provide guidance and ensure your network is fully secured with federally compliant multi-factor authentication solutions which will future proof your organization against any regulation changes. With over 25 years of Identity Management expertise, you can trust us to stay on top of mandated requirements and simplify the transition to a passwordless environment.
Tx Systems also offers innovative solutions that address the shortcomings of traditional access control systems. By seamlessly integrating physical and logical access control, solutions we offer enhance workflow efficiency while fortifying data protection. Our solutions are designed to adapt to the dynamic environment of healthcare facilities, securing vulnerable points while enabling smooth operational workflows.
How can FIDO2 and Entra ID secure your Organization?
Security That Complies
Protect your healthcare organization with MFA powered by FIDO2 and Entra ID. Secure logins for Epic, Cerner, EPCS, and all PHI‑handling systems while meeting HIPAA requirements. Strong, phishing‑resistant authentication is no longer optional—it’s essential.
Modern Login,
Maximum Protection
FIDO2 hardware keys, passkeys, and Entra ID integration make multi-factor authentication seamless for clinicians and staff. Stop credential-based breaches before they happen and ensure your login surfaces meet HIPAA’s evolving standards.
Streamlined Security for Complex Systems
From Epic to Cerner to EPCS portals, enforcing MFA with FIDO2 keys and Entra ID ensures consistent, high-level security across your healthcare ecosystem. Simplify compliance, reduce breach risk, and maintain trust with patients and regulators alike.
Future-Proof Your Compliance
HIPAA is evolving, and MFA is becoming non-negotiable. Entra ID + FIDO2 provides a future-proof authentication solution, giving your healthcare organization strong, phishing-resistant logins today while preparing for tomorrow’s regulatory changes.
Let us help you become HIPAA Compliant Today!
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